Party Affiliation

Isaac Opalinsky collected more than twice the number of signatures required to run for the Annapolis city council. He began holding campaign receptions, collecting money, turning in finance reports. Now the man who would be the first Green Party candidate to run in a local Maryland election has been told he won't be Green on the ballot after all. City election officials have told Opalinsky that a reading of city law shows that his party affiliation must be kept off the ballot. Instead, he would be listed under the heading "other candidates."

I read with great interest the Sun editorial, "Unbalanced Budgeting" (Mar 13). The sub-headline summed up that the difference between the two parties is so great that compromise seems impossible. Well, isn't that where the president steps in and brokers a compromise? The president, regardless of party affiliation, is the leader of our country and should put partisan politics aside to achieve consensus in Congress. President Barack Obama has proven time and time again that his first and only job is pushing the Democratic doctrine and maligning the Republican Party.

The Maryland Democratic Party filed a complaint yesterday with the state Board of Elections against state Sen. John A. Giannetti Jr., alleging that the recently declared Republican is deliberately misleading voters by continuing to use campaign signs that label him as a Democrat. In a letter sent to state elections administrator Linda H. Lamone, the state Democratic Party's executive director, Derek Walker, asked for an investigation into what he calls a violation of election law. Walker identified at least a half-dozen 8-foot-by-4-foot Giannetti signs that feature his photo and list the senator's old party affiliation in District 21, which includes portions of northern Prince George's County and western Anne Arundel County.

No Labels is a non-partisan group of concerned citizens from left, right, and center. The "No Budget, No Pay" concept is a central tenet ("Missed opportunity," Jan 25). Congress is required to produce a budget. All we are asking is that they take no pay until they do their job each and every year. Another idea is to seat members of Congress without regard to party affiliation rather than have Democrats across the aisle from Republicans. This will encourage discussion and compromise.

Tomorrow is the last day voters can change party affiliation before the Sept. 15 primary.A voter must register as a Democrat or Republican to vote in the primary, except in nonpartisan elections such as school board.Crossover voting is not allowed; Democrats can vote only for Democrats and Republicans for Republicans. Crossover voting is allowed in the general election.The Board of Supervisors of Elections will stay open at its second-floor office at 125 N. Court St. until 9 p.m. to receive voter registration changes.

Party affiliation apparently mattered more than money in this year's Carroll County elections, as Democrats suffered a series of smashing defeats despite raising as much or more cash than many of their Republican opponents, a review of final campaign finance reports filed yesterday shows. In the county commissioners race, Republican incumbent Julia Walsh Gouge raised and spent the most money. She also received the most votes. But fellow Republicans Perry L. Jones Jr. and Dean L. Minnich won decisively even though they were among a cluster of commissioner candidates from both major parties who raised $13,000 to $17,000.

Isaac Opalinsky collected more than twice the number of signatures required to run for the Annapolis city council. He began holding campaign receptions, collecting money, turning in finance reports. Now the man who would be the first Green Party candidate to run in a Maryland election has been told he won't be Green on the ballot after all. City election officials have told Opalinsky that a reading of city law shows that his party affiliation must be kept off the ballot. Instead, he would be listed under the heading "other candidates," like the city's two independent council candidates.

An article in Friday's editions of The Sun incorrectly identified the party affiliation of Anne Arundel County Councilman Bert Rice. Mr. Rice is a Republican.The Sun regrets the error.

In yesterday's editions of The Sun, the party affiliation of Prince George's County Councilman Walter H. Maloney was incorrectly reported. Mr. Maloney is a Democrat; Audrey E. Scott is the sole Republican on the council.The Sun regrets the error.

A story in Monday's Anne Arundel edition of the Sun incorrectly identified the party affiliation of Annapolis Mayor Alfred A. Hopkins. Hopkins is a Democrat.* The Sun regrets the error.Pub Date: 9/25/96

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot posted this letter to supporters Tuesday on his website. Dear Supporter,   As we approach the heart of the holiday season and the end of 2012, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued friendship. Indeed, I have so much to be thankful for this year - from my good health and wonderful family, to the support of so many good friends and the opportunity to serve the people of Maryland in what is undoubtedly the best job I have ever had.   In that spirit of sincere gratitude, I would also like to let you know that I have decided to seek re-election as Comptroller of Maryland in 2014.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, who had considered running for governor in 2014, told supporters Tuesday he will bow out of that contest to seek another term as comptroller instead. Franchot, a Democrat, has frequently been at odds with Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration. His decision not to run comes amid speculation that Democrats will have a crowded and potentially messy gubernatorial primary in 2014. "This is a decision that I have made after a great deal of personal reflection," Franchot, 65, said in a message posted on his website Tuesday.

The Maryland Republican Party rejected a resolution Saturday calling on the newly elected Cecil County executive to step down after she changed her party affiliation from the GOP to independent. Meanwhile, a much-discussed move to call for state GOP Chairman Alex Mooney's resignation never materialized. Holding its first statewide convention since its dismal showing in the Nov. 6 election, the party also turned down a resolution urging its representatives to the national GOP to vote against a second term for Republican National Chairman Reince Priebus.

As I watch the election unfold, I think of the last four years with President Barack Obama. I hear all of the comparisons, the blame assigned the former president, the spin media outlets put on facts and the rhetoric the campaigns use to sway voters. In deciding my choice, there are some key factors I will use. You often hear that if you vote for Mitt Romney, you will be getting four more years of George W. Bush. This is like saying, if Hillary Clinton had been elected, she would have governed in the exact same manner as President Obama.

Gwyn Eppard of Baltimore said the tip-off that something was fishy came when the woman caller purporting to represent the campaign of Del. Sandy Rosenberg didn't know the lawmaker's party but launched into a pitch for a casino in Prince George's County. "That made me kind of suspicious," she said.  Rosenberg, a Northwest Baltimore Democrat, said the call did not come from his campaign. "I certainly did not authorize anybody to call on my behalf," he said. "I certainly don't pay money to solicitors to pay people.

Having moved here from the West, where municipal elections are almost all nonpartisan, I urge the Baltimore City Council to consider eliminating party ballot designations. Instead, allow anyone, regardless of party affiliation, to file for whatever office they wish. Then let the two top vote-getters in the September primary face off against each other in the November general election. Continuing to have separate Republican primaries for a mere handful of voters is wasteful and meaningless in a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 9-1. The public would be far better served by having the top two primary race winners debate the issues in November.

Due to an editing error, an article Tuesday incorrectly described the party affiliation of state Del. Ronald A. Guns of Cecil County. In fact, he is a Democrat.The Sun regrets the errors.Pub Date: 3/20/97.

I moved to Baltimore from Fairfax County, Virginia 13 months ago, and I am essentially happy I made the move to my husband's hometown. However, as a voter I feel like I landed in a third world country. I am a city homeowner who pays hefty real estate taxes, but I have no voice in the upcoming election for mayor. When I registered to vote, I was forced to register as either a Democrat, Republican or unaffiliated voter. As a registered Republican, the law prohibits my voting in the Democratic primary.

Fans of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" are used to comedian Jon Stewart cracking jokes and generally, well, not being very serious.  Last night, on "The O'Reilly Factor," however, the comedian showed off his serious side -- talking about the Republican presidential candidates and President Barack Obama.  Some interesting topics were discussed:  • Stewart's pick for the best Republican candidate? Either Tim Pawlenty or Mitt Romney.  • Has Obama met the comedian's expectations?