Do you have to change your party affiliation if the person you are voting for doesn't belong to your party?

Question

Please explain to me the voting process. Thank you.

Answer 1

When it comes down to the main vote, nope, you can change your mind and vote for whoever you want. You just can't vote for the opposite party in the primaries. You are pre registered before you go in to vote and they have your party on file, so when you go in and give them your name, they look you up, see that you are either dem, independent or republican and give you the voting ticket for your party, which only has your parties members on it. but after the primaries, all is fair and you can vote for whoever.

Answer 2

I assume we are talking about in the United States. If so, it depends on the state. There are many complicating factors that differ from state-to-state.

In almost all of the states, the candidates on the ballot for the general election are nominated by "established" political parties. It is also possible for a candidate to get on the general election ballot by petition (either as an independent or as part of a "new" party).

There are three main complicating factors. First, while most states use a "primary" election for nominating candidates (or for that state's participation in the nomination of the presidential candidates), some states use a caucus or convention system. Second, in those states that use a primary, some states have two primary dates (one for president and one for all others) while others use a unified primary. Third, in primary states, there are four different ways to hold a primary -- and which one your state is will probably determine the answer to your question.

In a closed primary state, only voters registered as belonging to a specific political party gets to vote in that party's primary. As such, if you want to vote for a particular candidate in a particular race, you must change your party affiliation to that candidate's party far enough in advance of the primary (and how far in advance is far enough depends on that state's law).

In a semi-closed primary state, independents/unaffiliated voters can vote in any of the party's primary election, but voters registered as being affilated with another party are not. As such, for example, you are currently registered as belonging to Party A but wish to vote for a candidate running in the primary of Party B, you must change your registration to unaffiliated or Party B. If you were currently unaffiliated, you would not be required to change your registration.

In an open primary state, voters are registered by party but can vote in any party's primary.

Finally, in some states, there is no party registration and, as such, the primary process is open.

You should be able to find further information on your state on your Secretary of State's website.

As a final point, while -- in a closed or semi-closed state -- your party affiliation may impact your ability to vote in a primary, party affiliation does not matter in the general election.

Answer 3

Party affiliation only matters in primary elections. In a primary election, you can vote only for candidates of the party you belong to. In a general election, you can vote without regard to party membership - your own or the candidates'.

Answer 4

If you are voting in a "primary" election, you must be registered with the party whose candidate you are voting for. In the "general" election, you may vote for anyone on the ballot. Only Republicans, for example, can vote in the Republican Primary election in your state. The Primary election determines who the party's candidate for that office will be. The general election determines which candidate, Republican, Democrat, Independent, etc., is elected to the office.

Answer 5

During the Primaries, you can only vote for your party (IE - if you're a Democrat, you can only pick from among the Democratic candidates to nominate who will represent your party in the election).

During the main election, you can vote for whichever candidate you want. A Democrat can vote for a Republican and vice versa.

Answer 6

nope, unless you are talking about voting in the primary...and if you do vote in one party's primary you have to vote for their candidate in the general election. The purpose of that is to keep members of other parties from influencing the primary's result.

Answer 7

It depends on what state you live in for primaries. The General Election is open to vote how you choose.

Answer 8

Voting for Clinton Huh...Good Choice. I think we all have had enough of Bush and all of the Republicans... Time for Change, Good Change, Speak up and be heard !
Check this out...http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...

Answer 9

No you don't, and people who are not mindless sheep vote for the people they think will do the best job, not the one on their party's line.

Answer 10

Only in the primary.