Why did Nikki Haley vote for a Democrat in the 2004 primary?
And: Measles cases in a Florida county cause growing concern
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Nikki Haley voted Democrat in 2004…and so did every other South Carolina voter who participated in the presidential primary that year
Recently, we’ve written about primaries and the different policies states use to determine who can and cannot vote in a primary. Claims of Democrats conspiring to support Nikki Haley in primaries across the country to thwart a Trump versus Biden rematch have risen.
As such, Nikki Haley’s voting record has come under scrutiny – particularly her participation in the 2004 South Carolina presidential primary. South Carolina is an open primary state, meaning any registered voter can participate in the presidential primary on either ticket regardless of party affiliation. In 2004, there was no Republican primary race in the state because the “South Carolina GOP gave their 46 delegates to incumbent President George W. Bush before the primary had begun.” Therefore, the only ticket to vote on was for the Democratic candidate. Thus, Nikki Haley – and every other South Carolinian who participated in that election – voted for a Democrat.
It is important to remember that the states control their election processes and procedures and restrictions vary from state to state. As a result, what’s allowed in one state, like who can vote on what primary ticket, may not necessarily be the same for another state!
Florida county faces measles cases
What is measles? How does it spread? What’s the best way to prevent it?
Recently, measles has been making news as an outbreak has gained attention in Florida. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It is particularly common in children, but anyone can contract this infection. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a characteristic rash.
Vaccination stands as the most effective measure against measles, protecting against both illness and transmission of the virus. Prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, and its subsequent widespread use, major outbreaks occurred every few years, resulting in millions of deaths annually. According to the World Health Organization, 128,000 people died of measles in 2021, most of whom were children under five years of age.
Why am I hearing about measles now?
In Broward County, Florida, a school is battling a spike in measles cases. Last week, Manatee Bay Elementary School saw one confirmed case followed by three more cases reported the next day. The school district issued a statement affirming its collaboration with the Florida Department of Health-Broward to promptly address the situation. However, medical experts are concerned that the reported cases could be the beginning of a concerning trend.
With a vaccination rate of 89.31% among its 1,067 enrolled students from kindergarten to fifth grade, those who remain unvaccinated are vulnerable to the highly contagious infection. Medical experts interviewed by CBS News Miami highlighted the ease of measles transmission – even during the early stages of illness – and emphasized the potential long-term health risks associated with the disease, including rare but severe complications such as fatal brain infections. The school district is actively monitoring the situation and keeping families informed through ongoing communication with the school's principal.
For additional information on measles – and myths to be aware of – we recommend these resources: