It’s unlikely anyone would find this year’s presidential primary boring, but some California voters are finding the upcoming June primary a little confusing. “I was expecting to see both parties and that you could make a choice,” said voter Rosetta Winston. Christine Krynak also said she expected to see candidates from both parties. In 2011 a new “Open Primary” law took effect in California that’s left some voters thinking when it comes to the June 7 presidential primary, they can vote for any of the candidates, regardless of their party preference. But that’s not quite how it works because the Open Primary law does not apply to candidates running for president.
Whichever party you’re registered for, you can only vote for candidates from that party. “If I registered with one party and you’re interested in voting in another party’s primary, you have to be registered with that party,” said Santa Cruz County Elections Clerk Gail Pellerin.
What if you’re not a member of a political party or what the state calls an “NPP” or No Party Preference voter? You’ll have to pick which party’s primary you want to participate in and for the GOP, that means you have to officially register as a Republican.
Adding to the confusion are voters registered in the “American Independent Party.” Many voters incorrectly believed they are “Independent voters” and can vote for any of the presidential candidates of their choice in the primary.
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