I will be able to vote in the next presidential election. I originally planned to vote Republican, but the way things are looking, I don’t see that happening. Voting Democrat is out of the question.
What exactly is the Libertarian party? From the things I’ve heard about it, it sounds like they have the best in mind for this country. What should I vote next election?
Why is voting Democratic out of the question? 
Well, and you don’t have to join a political party to even vote. And even if you do, that doesn’t require you to consistently vote the ticket.
Since you are wavering, my suggestion would be not to join any party, research all the parties that catch your eye, and research all the candidates, then vote your conscience.
Fraternities throw better parties: high school girls will be there, if ya know what i mean…
What lorinda said.
I’ve been registered to vote since the day I turned 18 (that makes, what, 24 years now …) and have never once been registered with any party at all. My voter registration cards always list “indepenant” or “non-affiliated” etc.
That option IS allowed, you know (well, at least for the moment…) 
check out http://www.lp.org/issues/url] for the Libertarain party’s stance on most of the hot political issues.
In a nutshell (and oversimplfying):
Dems are for personal freedoms, but push big spending.
Reps are for limiting spending (in theory, anyway…thanks W), but try to legislate morality.
Libs want smaller govt all around, less spending and have the govt stay out of your personal life.
When I registered to vote at 18 I was democratic-leaning. I have since steered away from that party. Do what the others have said, it’s what I did too. Just register as an independant, and then vote to the party that closest matches your idealogies with each election.
yay for typos. Here’s that link again.
Being that your in Kern County, most of your neighbors are going to vote Republican. I lived in Bakersfield for most of my life, and I’m rather conservative myself. My suggestion is to register as a Republican, but vote for whoever you feel is the right candidate.
Why should you be a Republican because your neighbors are?
Sounds to me like you should stay independent. The main reason to join a party is to be able to help choose its candidate, so you have to support the principals of that particular party to some degree. If none of them call to you that much, there’s no need to pick one.
I think you need to map out what you stand for and how the candidates square with your thinking. You don’t need to join an organized party, you can always join the Democrats. If you believe that government can be part of the solution, if you believe that we should not ask future generations to pay for tax breaks for the rich, if you believe that intelligent diplomacy is better than brute force, then vote Democratic. If you believe that the purpose of elected officials is to pillage the treasury for their fat cat friends, then vote Republican.
I say either pic dem or republican.
If you choose OTHER, you’ll only get to vote in primarys IF OTHER is listed on the ballot which doesn’t happen often in smaller elections. …Which leaves you out.
I’m listed as Independant but I’m switching out asap. Doesn’t matter where.
Go Green.
If your number one issue is pot legalization vote Libertarian otherwise join the Republican party. You will be able to choose candidates who actually have a shot at getting elected. If there are things about the party you don’t like you can work from within to change it.
Is California a closed-primary state? Your advice varies state by state.
[Mike Myers]
Yeah, and monkeys will fly out of my butt.
[/MM]
I suggest visiting www.politicalcompass.org. It’s a survey of general questions which will determine your leanings to either the left or right and authoritarian/libertarian. It then maps you on a grid. It’s very interesting.
The political compass is interesting, but IIRC it seemed to be biased towards libertarian.
My vote would be for you to register independant. It seems like you don’t fit into either party.
It is my understanding that if you are registered independant, then you can vote in either dem or repub primaries. Can anybody verify this?
Debaser:
Depends on the state. In California, no.
I also second the opinion that that political compass, and indeed all of them that I’ve seen, are biased. This particular one tries to peg you as a libertarian. One of the more popular ones I’ve seen pegged Margaret Thatcher not too far from Hitler, and puts me close to Gerard Schroeder, which is just silly. They’re fun and interesting, but don’t use them to determine what party you should join.
As to the OP proper, be an independent for now. If you’re really interested in politics, I’d recommend reading some political webzines, and seeing what you think of the various positions. For the Democratic viewpoint, go with The Nation. For the Pubs, go with National Review Online. For the Libertarians, check out Reason. Dunno about any respectable Green Party publications. See who makes the most sense, and base your views accordingly.
Jeff
iT dos not mater who you vote fore. All your base belong to us.
Fagjunk Theology: Not just for sodomite propagandists anymore.
You’ve obviously never been to California. The communist Dems out here only want two things from you. Your freedom and every dollar you make. Vote Republican.