San Rafael, CA – Voter pamphlets for the June 7 Presidential Primary Election have been mailed to registered voters in Marin County. The pamphlet includes the address of the voter’s polling place and important information about voting for presidential candidates.
The voter pamphlet includes important information about which registered voters are allowed to vote in the presidential primaries.
The primary election is part of each party’s nominating process for presidential candidates, and that means voters registered with a party will only vote for a candidate on their party’s ballot. People registered as No Party Preference (NPP) will get a non-partisan ballot without any presidential candidates. The parties make the decision about whether or not to have an open or closed primary election and allow NPP voters to participate.
“The presidential primary election can be very confusing,” said Lynda Roberts, Registrar of Voters. “It gets a little more confusing since some parties are having an open primary and some parties are having a closed primary. It’s really important that voters understand how the primary election works.”
The American Independent, Democratic, and Libertarian parties have opted for an open primary, and will allow NPP voters to select their ballot and vote for a presidential candidate. If you are registered as NPP and want to vote in one of the open primaries, go to www.marinvotes.org and click on Party Preference Form found in the box titled June 7, 2016 — Presidential Primary Election.
The Green, Peace and Freedom, and Republican parties have opted for a closed primary, so people wishing to vote on one of those ballots will need to re-register with that party no later than May 23.
The first page in the voter pamphlet outlines the options in detail, and Roberts encourages all voters to take time and study that page thoroughly.
“We don’t want voters to be disappointed on Election Day because they thought they would be voting for certain presidential candidates,” Roberts said.
Roberts said the process will be easier in the November general election because all candidates who are nominated by their party to run for president will be on the ballot. On November 8, voters will be able to vote for whomever they wish regardless of party.
Voters can go to the County Elections Department website to check their registration, update their address, or register to vote. Voters can also call 415-473-6456 to check their registration and request a voter registration form in the mail. The deadline to register to vote in the June 7 Election is May 23.
Visit www.marinvotes.org for more information. Follow the Elections Department on Facebook.