In the coming weeks, voters in several states will go to the polls for the Democratic primaries and caucuses. Many of those upcoming states have two different deadlines for voter registrations. Those deadlines have to do with changing party affiliation and first time registrations. The Vote for Bernie website provides Democrats important dates and links so they can get informed about their states’ requirements. If you don’t see your state on this list, chances are the registration deadline has already passed.
New Jersey
The Garden State has closed primaries on June 7, which means only registered Democrats are permitted to vote in them. Voters who are either Registered Republicans or with any other party other than Democrat must change their party affiliation by April 13 in order to vote in the primaries. New voters must registe r as Democrats by May 17.
Puerto Rico
Although they cannot vote in the general election, Puerto Ricans can help pick their party nominee. Puerto Rico currently has open primaries, so registered voters of any party can participate in the Democratic primaries. The deadline to register to vote is Saturday, April 16. The Puerto Rico primary is on June 5.
Kentucky
The Bluegrass state has closed primaries, so only registered Democrats can vote. The party affiliation deadline was on December 31, 2015. Anyone who is a registered voter but not a Democrat cannot participate in the state primaries. New voters have until Monday, April 18 to register as a Democrat to be eligible to vote. The primary is on Tuesday, May 17.
West Virginia
The state has semi-closed primaries. This means West Virginians must be registered as either Democrat or Undeclared by Tuesday, April 19, to be eligible to vote in the primaries. West Virginia’s primaries will be on Tuesday, May 10.
Connecticut
Connecticut has closed primaries. The party affiliation deadline for existing voters to switch to Democrat was January 26. New voters must register as a Democrat by April 21. The primary will take place on April 26.
Oregon
Oregon has closed primaries so you must be registered as a Democrat to be eligible to participate. The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, April 26. The Democratic primary is on Tuesday, May 17.
Montana
Montana is one of the few states with open primaries, so currently registered voters do not need to change their party affiliation to participate. The deadline to register to vote is Monday, May 9. Montana’s primary takes place on Tuesday, June 7.
New Mexico
The Land of Enchantment has closed primaries. The deadline to register to vote as a Democrat is Tuesday, May 10. New Mexico Democrats also go to the polls on June 7.
California
The Golden State has semi-closed primaries. Voters must register as a Democrat or “No Party Preference” to vote in the Democratic primaries. If you register as anything other than a Democrat or “No Party Preference,” you will not be permitted to violet in the primaries. The deadline to register is Monday, May 23. The primary takes place on Tuesday, June 7.
Some Californians have warned other Democrats of a possible suppression effort in order to disenfranchise people. Reports that some people unwittingly are registering for the American Independent Party, under the belief that they are registering as Independents. The AIP is actually a far right-wing Christian party associated with segregationist ideology.
Washington, DC
The District of Columbia has closed Democratic primaries. D.C.’s registration deadlines are a bit murky, but the affiliation deadline to change parties or register as a Democrat is Monday, May 23. However, new voters may register on the same day as the primary, which is on June 14.
South Dakota
The state has semi-closed primaries . The registration deadline is Monday, May 23, and voters must register as either a Democrat or “Undeclared” in order to vote. the primaries occur on Tuesday, June 7.
North Dakota
North Dakota is a unique state. No registration to vote is required. All a resident needs to do is show up at the appropriate primary location and vote. Be sure to check the state’s website to ensure you have appropriate identification. The primary takes place on Tuesday, June 7.
In some states, 17-year-olds can participate in the Democratic primaries as long as they will turn 18 by November. College students living out of state may also be able to participate. It is important for everyone interested in participating in primaries and caucuses to understand the rules and know when their deadlines to register to vote are.
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