Registering with a party

[Catherose]

:bowl-

Sorry, this isn't really a current event. Just some questions I have.
I recently quit my job, moved to the ghetto to save money, and consequently had to re-register to vote. I've never registered with a party (and didn't this time either), and was wondering what the benefits/drawbacks of picking a party are.

Is anyone here registered with a party?
How do you vote in the primaries- is it by mail or what?
Do I get more junkmail if I register with a party?
Does it benefit a party to have more members in terms of federal funding, or do only actual votes for a candidate make a difference in that respect?

Thanks!
Catherine

[ribbon]

A lot of this depends on what state you live in. In many states, if you're not registered with a party, you can't vote in the primaries because in the primaries you can only select candidates for your party. Like this year we were able to chose among the democratic candidates, but for republicans Bush ran unopposed. Other states have open primaries so it's less of an issue.
There can be some unwritten benefits of being with a political party, especially if it's the majority party in your town. I'm not sure if it's the same for bigger cities. The area I live in is mostly republican, middle class. When a republican friend (yes, I have a few :muhaha) was having trouble getting a mortgage she went enlisted the support of some of the party big wigs. Funny thing was that she always votes democrat, but is registered republican in case she needs any favors.
In the state where I live, unless you're going to be out of town or you can't get to the polls, you have to vote in person on election day. I did an absentee ballot when I was going through chemo because I wasn't sure I'd be up to going to the polling place, since I didn't have a car and it was a mile walk.
I'm not sure whether or not it benefits the parties in specific areas. I know in my area we get a lot of national attention candidates because even though there are more registered republicans, the area has been known to vote democratic. There are often stories about the district I live/vote on the national news.
I usually only get junk political mail (not email) from my party, except from the district congressperson which is usually goes back and forth between dems and republicans with every election.