As of January 1, 2006, the category of “Independent” voter has been eliminated. Any voter who chooses not to affiliate with a political party or group is now classified as an “Unaffiliated” voter. Therefore, your voting record will be changed from “Independent” to “Unaffiliated”.

As an “Unaffiliated“ voter, you will be eligible to declare a political party affiliation at the polls to vote in either the Republican or Democratic June Primary Election. Once you vote in a primary election, you will be considered a member of that political party. You can thereafter switch your party affiliation to another political party by filing a political party declaration form with the municipal clerk or this office. Political party declaration forms available at this office, the municipal clerk’s office or online at the County website (CLICK HERE for the form). You must file this form no later than 50 days before a Primary election to vote in the other political party.

The new law also now allows a voter who is affiliated with a political party to go back to being an unaffiliated voter. This is done by checking off the “unaffiliated” option on the political party declaration form and filing it with the municipal clerk or this office.

Any voter who is affiliated with a political party and switches to “unaffiliated” status must file the political party and declaration form by the filing deadline April 17, 2006.

If you have any questions with regard to voter affiliation, please contact this office.