I mentioned this in an earlier thread, but it must have gotten buried...
Technically, Texas is a "closed primary". The party primaries are technically closed to only "Republicans" or only "Democrats". However the kicker is, one doesn't register as a "Republican" or a "Democrat" at your local elections board. Rather, you become a "Republican" or a "Democrat" the second you vote in one of the two primaries. You (literally) get your voter card stamped "Republican" or "Democrat" once you vote in the primary. This can really screw somebody up if they're interested in party politics... For instance, as a (real) Democrat, if you vote in the Republican primary, then you ARE a Republican, until two years have passed and you get to vote in the next (presumably Democratic) primary. If you vote in a Republican primary, you are unable to hold party offices in the Democratic party, because at that point, you are not registered as a Democrat.
So, technically, Texas is not a "closed" primary system... everyone that votes in the Democratic primary is at that point, a registered Democrat. Though of course, your point remains the same.
I was an election judge in TX-28 in yesterday's primary (albeit in Bexar County, not Webb). NCWeb is completely accurate in his description of how the Texas primary system works. There is, however, one theory I've been hearing that I want dispel as soundly as possible.
While it is technically true that "real" Republicans could choose a Democratic ballot and vote in favor of whatever candidate they choose, this is certainly not the case here or in virtually all elections.
The level of political sophistication required to foresee the effects and "cross-over" vote is so extraordinarily high, the effect of "dishonest" primary voters is virtually nil. Certainly, a handful of insightful Republicans here and there voted for Cuellar but it is absurd to suggest that they were numerous enough to throw the election in his favor. What's more, a widespread, systematic "cross-over" voting effort is literally impossible to execute.
On the ground, I saw not one voter at my precinct that would have fit this bill.
The reality is Cuellar was able to bring out the "homeboys" in Laredo and surrounding counties and that, not "cross-over" voting that lost the election for Rodriguez.
