I'm sorry I wasn't clear.  I didn't mean the vast majority didn't have to declare a party, but that they are not purged from a voter list.  And I did say that in all primaries one eventually has to declare a party, even if unofficially, but that is for the primaries, because they need to know what ballot to give you. :)  No one is required to vote in a primary in order to vote in the general election.  Until this year, few people voted in primaries.  Anyway, I think there is a different attitude toward parties in America and Europe, and that's fine.  But we've discussed that many times before.

As for the last part, I say that based on what Fran has told me.  Here, there are private citizens present at every step of the election.

Anyway, my aim is not to say one system is better than another, but to let you know how ours works at the micro level, and maybe why we decided to do it like we do.  It's a DEEPLY FLAWED system we have, but I think for different reasons you think it is.  I think it should be standardized, the same in every state, in every precinct.  And I think it's obviously open to corruption.  But I also think there are really wonderful aspect of it.  

I mean, I did title this diary "Hell is Democracy".

:)

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.