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AP19:104
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2019
CONTACT:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575
Secretary of State’s Office Sends Statewide Email to NPP Voters on Presidential Primary Rules
SACRAMENTO, CA - Today the Secretary of State’s office sent a an email to No Party Preference voters statewide reminding them of the presidential primary rules and their options for requesting a ballot with presidential candidates. The email was sent to over 1.7 million No Party Preference voters who provided an email when registering to vote.
All California county elections offices are mailing postcards to every No Party Preference voter who is registered to vote-by-mail. These postcards are standard and provide voters with their presidential primary voting options.
The American Independent, Democratic, and Libertarian parties are allowing No Party Preference voters to participate in their March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Elections. No Party Preference voters who chose to do so should complete and return this postcard with their selection in order to receive a vote-by-mail ballot listing presidential candidates from one of these parties. Voters are encouraged to return these postcards before the new year if possible, so that elections officials have ample time to process their requests in time for ballot printing and mailing.
“Elections officials are working hard to prepare Californians for next year’s March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “The presidential primary rules uniquely affect No Party Preference voters — who are now the second largest block of voters in California. My office is emailing over 1.7 million No Party Preference voters as part of our broader efforts to educate Californians on presidential primary rules. No Party Preference voters who plan to vote-by-mail and wish to vote for a candidate for President will need to request a ballot with presidential candidates in advance of the primary election.”
“All indicators are pointing to a record voter turnout in 2020, so I encourage all voters to understand their options well before Election Day arrives,” Padilla added.
REQUESTING A CROSSOVER BALLOT
No Party Preference voters who do not respond to this postcard will be mailed a non-partisan ballot without any presidential candidates listed. If after receiving a non-partisan ballot a No Party Preference voters prefers to receive a crossover ballot, they can still request one from their county elections official by:
- Phone
- Fax
Voters also have the option of taking their non-partisan vote-by-mail ballot to their polling place (or any vote center in a Voters’ Choice Act County) and exchange it for a ballot with presidential candidates from the American Independent, Democratic, or Libertarian Party.
HOW TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT
To help voters get ready to vote in the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary, the Secretary of State’s office recently launched a new website — HowToVoteForPresident.sos.ca.gov — detailing California voters’ options.
NO PARTY PREFERENCE VOTERS WHO VOTE IN PERSON
No Party Preference voters who vote at the polls, can ask the poll worker for a ballot with either American Independent, Democratic, or Libertarian Party presidential candidates when checking-in at their polling place.
VOTING IN THE GREEN, PEACE AND FREEDOM, OR REPUBLICAN PARTY PRIMARY
No Party Preference voters who want to vote for a Green, Peace and Freedom, or Republican Parties' presidential candidate, must first re-register to vote with that specific party.
RE-REGISTERING TO VOTE
Voters can re-register online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov. If a voter needs to re-register after February 18, 2020, they can do so in person at their polling place, any vote center, or their county elections office.
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