The Secretary of State’s Office has advised the Registrar of Voters that three qualified parties have notified the Secretary of State that they are allowing voters not affiliated with a political party (No Party Preference voters) to vote for their parties’ candidates in the 2016 Presidential Primary Election. The parties allowing non-affiliated voters to do so are the Democratic Party, American Independent Party, and the Libertarian Party.
The following are frequently asked questions concerning No Party Preference Voters:
If I am a No Party Preference voter, am I considered a registered voter?
Yes, you are a registered voter but not affiliated with a qualified political party.
I’m an Independent Party voter. Am I considered a No Party Preference Voter?
A No Party Preference voter is one who did not register with one of the qualified political parties – Democratic, Republican, American Independent, Green, Libertarian, and Peace and Freedom. That person registered as a No Party Preference voter. “Independent Party” is not a qualified political party.
As a No Party Preference Voter, why did I receive a postcard?
Since you are a permanent vote-by-mail voter and registered as No Party Preference, you received a postcard explaining that you have the option to vote for candidates of qualified parties if they notified the Secretary of State that they are allowing non-affiliated voters to do so.
Why are only three parties listed on the postcard and not all the other qualified parties, including the Republican, Green, and Peace and Freedom Parties?
Only the Democratic, American Independent, and Libertarian Parties notified the Secretary of State that they are allowing non-affiliated (No Party Preference) voters to vote for candidates of their parties.
Why didn’t the other parties allow non-affiliated voters to vote for their candidates?
This was a decision made by each political party, not the Registrar of Voters. Contact the political parties for more information.
If I do not request a Democratic, American Independent, or Libertarian Party ballot, will I be allowed to vote?
Yes, you will be allowed to vote. No Party Preference voters not requesting one of those ballots will be given a non-partisan ballot, containing only the names of the candidates for non-partisan (No Party Preference) offices, voter-nominated offices, and measures to be voted upon.
If I do request a Democratic, American Independent, or Libertarian Party ballot, will I now be registered with that party?
No, you will still be registered as a No Party Preference voter. You will only be given a Democratic, American Independent, or Libertarian Party ballot for the 2016 Presidential Primary Election, if requested.
Can I re-register prior to the 2016 Presidential Primary Election?
Yes, you can re-register through May 23, 2016 for the 2016 Presidential Primary Election. You can register online at www.ocvote.gov. You can also contact the Registrar of Voters’ Office at 714-567-7600 to have an affidavit mailed to you. Registration affidavits are also available at public locations, including libraries and city halls.