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Independents can vote in general elections. True independents, who are not members of any political party, are not eligible to vote in primary elections to determine the party candidate, though in practice there's essentially nothing to keep them from registering as a member of a party and voting in the primaries if they want to, even if they don't generally support the party.
However, there are 17 states in which a registered independent voter can participate in the primary election of a specific party, and even though they are not registered under those parties. Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
(In South Carolina and Michigan, citizens do not register to vote by party, please note, meaning that all voters in those states are "independent," technically. Voters in those states can only vote in the primary election of one political party, though, and not in the primaries of multiple parties.)
The elections in those states are referred to as "open primaries," while states that don't allow registered independents to participate have "closed primaries."
If there is a runoff to follow a primary in most of those "open primary" states, an independent voter can only vote in the runoff elections of the same party whose primary they voted in.
In addition, the Democratic Party in the states of California, Kansas, Montana, Utah and West Virginia allow registered independents to participate in their primary elections.
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Can independents only vote for independents?
Independents can only vote in the General election in November. They can not vote in Democratic or Republic primaries or caucuses. Independents can vote for anybody they want to in the General election in November. Both Democrat President Barack Obama and Republican Candidate, former Governor Mitt Romney want the votes of Independents as well of the votes of people who are in other political parties in the Presidential Election on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
Can registered WV independents vote in primary election?
Anyone who is registered to vote in West Virginia can vote in the primary election. It does not matter whether a person is Independent, Republican, or Democrat at the time of voting.
What does an open primary mean?
An open primary means that anyone of any party, including Independents, can vote in that election. The Presidential Preference election requires either Republican or Democratic party affiliation.
You want to vote in the NJ primary election but have never declared a party can you vote on 252008?
DECLARATION: Registered voters who have NOTmade a declaration of party affiliation may vote in the presidential primary by declaring the party they wish to vote in at their poll location on election day, Tuesday, February 5. Be sure to see the County Clerk's information page here for procedures to follow. Persons who have declared themselves 'Independents' are not eligible to vote in the primary election of either the Democratic or Republican parties
What do you do on election day?
Many people vote and get others to vote on election day. They also watch the results come in on television.
What do voters do on election day?
On election day voters vote for their local representatives.
Can you register to vote on election day?
No
Can convicted felons vote in Oregon?
Oregon law allows a convicted felon to vote if they are on probation on election day, however if they are in prision on election day, they are not allowed to vote.
Where will you vote on election day?
Voting in the UK, on election day, is their local polling station, provided they are on the Election Register.
What kind of election primary does Kansas have?
Kansas has closed primaries. Voters registered as Republicans can vote only in the Republican primary; Democrats can vote only in the Democratic primary. Registered Independents can change their affiliation and vote in that primary.
Can i vote for the general election and my local election on the same day?
Sometimes, I think it depends on where you live, and what day your local election is held on.
In PA can you be registered as both a democrat and a republican?
Primaries are closed. Republicans and Democrats only vote for their candidates. Independents etc. can still vote in the primary only for public questions. Independents etc. can vote for who they want only in the general election. If an Independent is running in the primary you can only vote that parties candidate. The same with Green Party etc.
