Will Cinnaminson GOP Pick the Next President?

Whether by ballot, mail, fax or even Internet survey, Cinnaminson Republicans will get a chance to weigh in on their preferred 2012 presidential candidate at a May 23 straw poll.

The Cinnaminson Republican Club is sponsoring the straw poll, which will see township GOPers selecting a candidate from a field of 14.

The poll is part of an attempt to increase the New Jersey’s visibility in the primaries. 

“New Hampshire and Iowa are getting far too much attention. We’re looking for good ole South Jersey to get in on the action,” Cinnaminson Republican Club President Sandy Iaquinto said in a statement.

New Jersey tried to exert influence in 2008 by moving the primaries from June to February—but instead of having a voice, the state found itself holding the primary elections on the same day as nearly half of the states. Now, there is a movement to move the elections back to June.

"While it’s not clear whether New Jersey’s presidential primary will take place in February or June of next year, it’s likely our state will play a pivotal role in what’s a real open-ended contest,” Iaquinto said. “This straw poll is exciting as Cinnaminson will have an impact on who will be the next president of the United States.”

At least 3,153 residents are eligible to cast ballots. The Republican club sent ballots to its 225 members, and emailed ballots to 422 township Facebook friends of the Cinnaminson GOP.

Other registered Republicans can request a ballot by emailing CinnaGOP@comcast.net, or by obtaining a ballot at the event. Nonregistered voters can participate by completing a party affiliation form at the event.

The straw poll will take place at the Cinnaminson Community Center, Manor and Riverton roads, at 7:30 p.m. But voters also can return ballots by mail, email, fax, phone, Facebook message or through an online survey site.

This is the fourth time the Cinnaminson GOP has conducted a presidential straw poll. Township Republicans voted for the eventual nominee in 1995 (Bob Dole) and 1999 (George W. Bush). But John McCain fell in Cinnaminson’s 2007 vote to Rudy Giuliani.

“We expect Cinnaminson to return to its role as an accurate early bird forecaster and continue this tradition well into the future,” Iaquinto said, joking that “soon there will be a new saying sweeping this country: ‘As Cinnaminson goes, so goes the nation.’ ”

The 14 candidates on the straw poll ballot include those who have already declared their candidacy, established exploratory committees or expressed interest in running. Cinnaminson GOP has extended an invitation to all to address the gathering, send a letter or send a representative.

The candidates are:

Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minnesota)
Former Ambassador John Bolton (Maryland) 
Business executive Herman Cain (Georgia)
Gov. Mitch Daniels (Indiana)
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (Georgia) 
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani (New York) 
Former Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah) 
Former Gov. Gary Johnson (New Mexico) 
Former Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska) 
Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) 
Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minnesota)
Former Gov. Buddy Roemer (Louisiana) 
Former Gov. Mitt Romney (Massachusetts) 
Former Sen. Rick Santorum (Pennsylvania)