Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
John Arntz, Director
For Immediate Release
SAN FRANCISCO, May 18, 2010 – As the June 8 Consolidated Statewide Direct Primary Election draws closer, the Department of Elections is reminding voters of the rules for California’s primary elections. Understanding the primary rules is essential for voters, so that they can successfully vote the way they want on Election Day.
The Primary Rules
California has a modified closed primary system. This means that voters who have registered with a qualified political party may vote only for candidates from that party in partisan contests, such as Governor and U.S. Senator. In California, there are currently six qualified political parties:
• The American Independent Party
• The Democratic Party
• The Green Party
• The Libertarian Party
• The Peace and Freedom Party
• The Republican Party
However, voters who have not registered with a qualified political party may vote in partisan contests if a party allows unaffiliated voters to participate. For the June 8 primary election, two political parties will allow unaffiliated voters to vote their party’s ballot for all contests except County Central Committee:
• The Democratic Party
• The Republican Party
All voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote in this election’s nonpartisan contests – Superintendent of Public Instruction and Superior Court Judge – and on ballot measures.
Requesting a Party Ballot
Voters who are not affiliated with a qualified political party will be given a nonpartisan ballot with nonpartisan contests and measures, unless they request a party ballot for one of the two parties listed above.
On Election Day, unaffiliated voters who want to vote a party ballot must request that ballot from a poll worker when signing the roster.
Unaffiliated voters who permanently vote by mail were sent a postcard in February, which they could return to indicate their choice of ballot. Unaffiliated voters who want to request a vote-by-mail ballot only for this election can indicate their choice on the Vote-by-Mail Application, available online or on the back cover of the Voter Information Pamphlet.
Checking Party Affiliation
Voters can check their party affiliation by using the online Voter Registration Status Lookup, or by looking on the back cover of their Voter Information Pamphlet. They may also call the Department of Elections at (415) 554-4375.
Changing Party Affiliation
To change their party affiliation before the June 8 primary election, voters must re-register by May 24. To re-register, they can fill out a Voter Registration Form online, call (415) 554-4375 to have one mailed to them, or complete one in person at the Department of Elections’ office in City Hall, Room 48.
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