By: Follow South Jersey Staff
MAYS LANDING, N.J. — Voters who want to change their party affiliation have until Wednesday, April 10, to do so if they want to participate in the June 4 primary election, the Atlantic County Office of the Superintendent of Elections reminded residents in a statement.
“If you are affiliated with any recognized New Jersey party (Democratic, Republican, Green Party, etc.) and wish to change your affiliation to either Republican or Democratic in order to vote in the June 4 primary election, there is indeed a deadline,” Superintendent Maureen Bugdon said in a press release from the office. “Your declaration to a new party must occur by that date in order to participate in the election.”
While April 10 is the deadline to change political affiliations, it only applies to those who currently have an affiliation, not those currently unaffiliated (also referred to non-affiliated or independent).
“It can get confusing,” Bugdon said. “Unaffiliated voters can declare themselves Republican or Democratic right up to, and even at, the polling sites during Early Voting or on Election Day itself.”
There’s also a new law that affects those voting by mail.
“Any Unaffiliated voter, who has opted to receive a vote-by-mail ballot for all future elections, or for the June 4 primary election, must declare their party by Tuesday, May 28, in order to receive a vote-by-mail ballot through the United States mail,” according to the office.
Atlantic County residents who are not sure of their party affiliation or voter registration status, can call the Superintendent of Elections’ office at 609-645-5882, where officials can assist.
“With the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles also participating in voter registration, you may have changed your affiliation inadvertently,” Deputy Superintendent of Elections Audrey Miles stated. “Our office has received calls from voters who meant to select Republican but chose ‘Conservative’ on the MVC touchpad, or others intending to declare themselves Democratic and in their hurry affiliated to the Green Party or some other. There’s still time to correct any previous errors.”
“When in doubt, reach out,” Bugdon stated.
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