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No Party Preference Voters FAQs

What is the deadline for requesting a party ballot?

If you want a party ballot mailed to you, you must submit a request for a cross-over ballot from the American Independent Party, Democratic Party, or Libertarian Party no later than February 27, 2024 or re-register to vote with the Green Party, Peace and Freedom Party, or Republican Party by February 20, 2024.

You may also visit any one of the Registrar of Voters’ Vote Centers located throughout the county starting Saturday, February 24, 2024, up until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, when voting closes, to request an in-person cross-over ballot from the American Independent Party, Democratic Party, or Libertarian Party. You may also change your political party preference to the Green Party, Peace and Freedom Party, or Republican Party at the Vote Center and receive an in-person party ballot from that party.

As a No Party Preference Voter, why did I receive a postcard?
Since you are registered as No Party Preference, California Elections Code section 13502 requires that the Registrar of Voters mail you a postcard notice explaining that you have the option to vote for candidates of qualified parties if they notified the Secretary of State that they are allowing No Party Preference voters to do so. You can request a vote-by-mail ballot from the American Independent Party, Democratic Party, or the Libertarian party by returning the postcard, or submitting a request online here. You can also call our office to make this request at 714-567-7600.

Why are only three parties listed on the postcard and not all the other qualified parties, including the Green, Peace and Freedom, and Republican Parties?
Only the American Independent, Democratic, and Libertarian Parties notified the Secretary of State that they are allowing No Party Preference voters to vote for candidates of their parties.

Why didn’t the other parties allow No Party Preference 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 am a No Party Preference voter, how can I request a ballot for the Green Party, Peace and Freedom Party, or Republican Party?
You need to re-register with that party. Click here to re-register.

If I do not request an American Independent, Democratic, 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 offices, voter-nominated offices, and measures to be voted upon.

If I do request an American Independent, Democratic, 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 an American Independent, Democratic, or Libertarian Party ballot for the 2024 Presidential Primary Election, if requested.

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 – American Independent, Democratic, Green, Libertarian, Peace and Freedom, and Republican. The Independent Party is not a qualified political party, and voters who registered with this party will be treated in the same manner as a No Party Preference voter.

I am not sure if I registered with a political party. How can I find out?

You can check your voter registration status, including political party, at any time by visiting ocvote.gov/verify. You can also call our office at 714-567-7600 for your status.

If you need to register to vote for the first time or update your voter registration information, including political party, visit ocvote.gov/register