I want to vote in the Republican Primary here in New Jersey. However, if the candidate I vote for does not win the nomination, I will most likely vote Democrat. Can I do this, or I am forced to vote Republican?
2007-12-07 19:22:09 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
You are required to "register" as being a member of some political party (you can say "none" too). In order to vote in a particular primary or caucus, you must have registered as a member of that party (i.e. if you register as a Republican, you will get a Republican ballot, which only has Republican candidates on it). When the general election rolls around, everybody gets the exact same ballot, with all of the candidates on it. You are in no way obligated to vote for anyone just because you have "registered" as a member of that candidate's party. You're free to choose who you want.
So, you can register as a republican, vote in the republican primary, and if your candidate doesn't win, when the general election comes around, you can vote for the republican candidate, the Democrat, the communist, the libertarian, or the candidate from the "people's UFO party" (or write in your own). You can vote for a democrat for president, and a republican for senate, etc.
IMHO, "straight party" voting is pretty much turning your brain off and letting someone else vote for you...
PS: There are deadlines, which vary from state to state, on how far in advance of a primary you must register in order to change your party affiliation. You probably can't register as a republican the day of the election and expect to get a republican primary ballot. 30 days, 60 days, 6 months - it varies quite widely, so if you are going to change, do not delay.
2007-12-07 19:33:03 · answer #1 · answered by Damocles 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
In the general election in November, you may vote for whomever you wish. You can vote for the Peace & Freedom candidate if you want, and if the Peace & Freedom Party still exists. However, to participate in New Jersey's primary, as in that of many states, you must be registered as a member of that party. You may still be able to register as a Republican now if you are not one already, but unless you do this in time, you will not be able to vote in the Republican primary.
2007-12-07 19:29:34 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
you can vote for who every you want to in the general election
Depending on the state, you may or may not be able to vote in the primary or caucus
A few states have open primaries or caucuses, a few more the have Independence and the party, and majority have closed, or only member of that party
I live in Nevada and very politically active, so here you have to declare your party, but you can switch parties as long as you have voted in other parties caucus
Then anytime up til 10 days before the General Election you can switch back, or join a third party if you want
2007-12-07 20:56:48 · answer #3 · answered by EnberWolfe 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
New Jersey has closed primaries, which means that you can only vote in the primary of the party that you're registered for. Later on in the general election, you can vote for whoever you want.
2007-12-07 19:24:24 · answer #4 · answered by Don Adriano 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-26 14:40:13 · answer #5 · answered by love 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the primary you only have the choices for candidates who are in your own registered party. In the general election you may vote for whomever you wish regardless of party.
2007-12-07 19:26:08 · answer #6 · answered by beckini 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
you need to be registered as a republican to vote for a republican in the primary(this regulation used to be that independents could vote in some states but many states changed that this year) -after the primary you can vote for whichever person you find most appealing no matter what party you are affiliated with -
2007-12-07 20:09:48 · answer #7 · answered by rooster 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
In some states
2007-12-07 19:24:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just because you're registered as a Dem or a Repub, doesn't mean you have to vote that way. You're free to vote for whomever you like. Is this a great country, or what?
2007-12-07 19:26:54 · answer #9 · answered by CiCi 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
no because you are voting for the republican's. Voting Republican is not allowed in 50 of the 50 United States.
2007-12-07 19:25:46 · answer #10 · answered by E.B.G. 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋