Want to change party affiliation before primary? Must be done by April 10

Voters looking to change their party affiliation only have until April 10 if they want to vote in the upcoming primaries.

"Your declaration to a new party must occur by that date in order to participate in the election," Superintendent Maureen Bugdon warned.

She admitted it can be confusing, since unaffiliated voters — previously called independent — can declare Republican or Democrat at the polling sites during Early Voting or even on Election Day.

A new law also applies for 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, must declare their party by May 28 in order to receive a vote-by-mail ballot through the U.S. mail. 

If you are unsure of your party affiliation or voter registration status, call Bugdon's office at 609-645-5882, where election officials are on hand to 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 said. "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 is still time to correct those errors, Miles said.  

The Office of the Superintendent of Elections wants voters to know that party affiliation changes are quick and simple. 

Voters can: 

• Update their party online at www.Vote.NJ.gov (click on Register to Vote).
• Request a Party Declaration Form via mail by calling 609-645-5882.
• Update their party affiliation by completing a Voter Registration form and indicating their chosen party. 

“When in doubt, reach out,” Bugdon said. “Our office wants to ensure everyone has the right to vote in Atlantic County’s elections.”