Voter Party Affiliation Deadlines for Primaries

Arizona

Open to Unaffiliated

29 days before the primary election

29 days

An elector desiring to state a preference for a political party or organization other than the one indicated by the record of his registration shall reregister. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-136

A. An elector shall not vote in an election called pursuant to the laws of this state unless the elector has been registered to vote as a resident within the boundaries or the proposed boundaries of the election district for which the election is being conducted and the registration has been received by the county recorder or the recorder's designee pursuant to section 16-134 before midnight of the 29th day preceding the date of the election. B. If the 29th day preceding the date of the election falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other legal holiday, voter registrations that are received on the next business day immediately following the Saturday, Sunday or other legal holiday are deemed to have been timely received for purposes of voting in that election. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-120.

Colorado

Open to Unaffiliated

22 days before the primary election

22 days

(1) Any eligible elector desiring to change or withdraw the elector's affiliation may do so by completing and signing a prescribed request for the change or withdrawal and filing it with the county clerk and recorder or by submitting a personal letter written by the elector to the county clerk and recorder at any time up to and including the 22nd day preceding a primary election; except that, if the 22nd day before the primary election is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the change or withdrawal applies if made by the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The prescribed form or personal letter for the change must include the elector's printed name, address within the county, birth date, the last four digits of the elector's social security number, if the elector wishes to state it, and signature, the date, the elector's previous affiliation status, and the requested change in affiliation status. A prescribed form must be furnished by the county clerk and recorder upon the elector's oral or written request. Upon receiving the request, the county clerk and recorder shall change the elector's affiliation on his or her registration record. If the affiliation is withdrawn, the designation on the elector's registration record must be changed to "unaffiliated". If an elector changes affiliation, the elector is entitled to vote, at any primary election, only the ballot of the political party to which the elector is currently affiliated. A change or withdrawal of affiliation may not be made by anyone other than the elector. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a declaration or change of affiliation made by an unaffiliated elector in accordance with this section must be deferred if the elector has already been mailed a primary election ballot packet. The deadline by which the elector must declare, change, or withdraw an affiliation as specified in this subsection (1) only applies to a primary election and does not apply to a general or coordinated election. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-2-219

Connecticut

Partially Closed

The day before the primary election

1 day

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person admitted as an elector after noon on the last business day before a primary shall be permitted to vote in such primary.

(b) An applicant for admission or enrollment under section 9-26 shall be entitled to vote in a primary if he files his application for admission or enrollment with the town clerk before the day of the primary and is otherwise eligible to vote in the primary. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-23a

Delaware 

Closed

Last Saturday in May for statewide primary

60 days before presidential primary

~108 days (Sept. 15 primary)

Any duly registered voter may apply to change that registered voter's political affiliation by completing and submitting a voter registration application to the department except in the year of a general election during the period from the last Saturday in May through the day of the primary election. Del. Code Ann. tit. 15, § 2049

The last day that a voter may change his or her political party affiliation before the presidential primary election shall be the 60th day before the day of the aforesaid election. Del. Code Ann. tit. 15, § 3189

Florida

Closed

29 days before the primary election

29 days

(a) The registration books must be closed on the 29th day before each election and must remain closed until after that election. If an election is called and there are fewer than 29 days before that election, the registration books must be closed immediately…

(c) When the registration books are closed for an upcoming election, an update or change to a voter's party affiliation made pursuant to s. 97.1031 shall be permitted for that upcoming election unless such election is for the purpose of nominating a political party nominee, in which case the update or change shall be permitted only for the purpose of subsequent elections. Fla. Stat. § 97.055

Idaho

Partially Closed

The last day of candidate filing for a primary election

~88 days (Candidate filing deadline of 12th Friday before the primary)

(1) For a primary election an elector may change such elector's political party affiliation or become unaffiliated by filing a signed form with the county clerk no later than the last day a candidate may file for partisan political office prior to such primary election, as provided for in section 34-704, Idaho Code. An unaffiliated elector may affiliate with the party of the elector's choice by filing a signed form up to and including election day. The application form described in section 34-1002, Idaho Code, shall also be used for this purpose. Idaho Code § 34-411A

Kansas 

Partially Closed

21 days before a state primary, 31 days before a presidential primary

21 to 31 days

(a) County election officers shall provide for the registration of voters at one or more places on all days except the following: (1) Days when the main offices of the county government are closed for business, except as is otherwise provided by any county election officer under the provisions of K.S.A. 25-2312, and amendments thereto; (2) days when the main offices of the city government are closed for business, in the case of deputy county election officers who are city clerks except as is otherwise provided by any county election officer under the provisions of K.S.A. 25-2312, and amendments thereto; (3) the 20 days preceding the day of primary and general elections;(4) the 30 days preceding the day of any presidential preference primary election held pursuant to K.S.A. 25-4501a, and amendments thereto;(5) the 20 days preceding the day of any election other than one specified in this subsection; and (6) the day of any primary or general election or any question submitted election. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-2311

Kentucky 

Closed

Dec. 31 the year before the primary election

~139 days (May 19 primary)

Before a person shall be qualified to vote in a primary election, he shall possess all the qualifications required of voters in a regular election. In addition, he shall be a registered member of the party in whose primary election he seeks to vote, and shall have been registered as a member of that party on Dec. 31 immediately preceding the primary election, or, in the case of new registrations made after December 31 immediately preceding the primary election, he shall have registered and remained registered as a member of that party. No person shall be allowed to vote for any party candidates or slates of candidates other than that of the party of which he is a registered member. Ky. Rev. Stat. § 116.055

Louisiana

All Comers/Open to Unaffiliated

30 days before the primary election

30 days

(1) Registrars shall close the registration records 30 days prior to an election. However, if the deadline falls on a legal holiday, the registrars shall close the registration records on the first day after such holiday which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday.

C. Except as otherwise provided by law, while the registration records are closed as required by Subsection A of this Section, registrars shall accept any application for registration, change of address, change of party affiliation or nonaffiliation, change of name, or application for any other lawful entry or change in a registration, but none of these shall be effective until at least the day after the election has been held. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18:135

Maine 

Open to Unaffiliated

A voter may not vote in a primary or caucus for 15 days after a change in affiliation

15 days

2. Party designation removed. On receipt of the application, the registrar shall remove the party designation of the applicant from the central voter registration system. The registrar shall indicate in the central voter registration system that the applicant is ineligible to vote at a caucus or primary election for 15 days by designating the party enrollment field with the letter "X." Fifteen days after receiving the application, the registrar shall enroll the applicant in the party requested and enter the new party designation in the party enrollment field.

This subsection does not apply in the case of a voter who changes enrollment under subsection 4.

3. Restrictions during change of enrollment. Except as provided in subsection 4, a voter may not vote at a caucus, convention or primary election for 15 days after filing an application to change enrollment. A voter may sign a primary nomination petition during the 15-day period after filing an application to change enrollment, and the voter's signature must be counted as valid, as long as the 15-day period has elapsed by the time the petition is certified pursuant to section 335, subsection 7 and the voter otherwise is qualified to sign a petition for that office. Notwithstanding subsection 4, a voter must file an application to change enrollment prior to January 1st to be eligible to file a petition as a candidate in that election year. Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 21-A, § 144

Maryland 

Partially Closed (Neither party has opened their primaries up)

21 days before the primary election

21 days

(a)(1) Except as provided under §§ 3-305 and 3-306 of this subtitle, registration is closed during the period specified in this subsection.(2) Voter registration closes beginning on the 21st day preceding an election at:(i) 5 p.m. for applications and changes to voter registration records submitted by a method other than through the State Board's online voter registration system; and (ii) 11:59 p.m. for applications and changes to voter registration records submitted through the State Board's online voter registration system. Md. Elec. Code Ann. § 3-302

(b) Party affiliation changes or changes to or from a decline: (1) shall be processed at any time that registration is open; and (2) except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, may not be processed when registration is closed.

(c) If a local board receives a request for a party affiliation change after the close of registration, the local board shall make the change and it shall become effective for the next election provided: (1) there is sufficient evidence, as determined by the local boards pursuant to regulations adopted by the State Board, that the request was mailed on or before the close of registration for that election; or (2) the request was submitted by the voter to the Motor Vehicle Administration, a voter registration agency, another local board, or the State Board on or before the close of registration for that election. Md. Elec. Code Ann. § § 3-303

Massachusetts

Open to Unaffiliated

29 days before the primary election

29 days

No voter enrolled under this section or section 37 shall be allowed to receive the ballot of any political party except that in which he is so enrolled; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in said section 37, a voter may, except within a period beginning at eight o'clock in the evening of the 20th day prior to any primary and ending with the day of such primary, establish, change or cancel his enrollment by forwarding to the board of registrars of voters a certificate signed by such voter under the pains and penalties of perjury, requesting to have his enrollment established with a party or political designation, changed to another party or political designation, or cancelled, or by appearing in person before a member of said board and requesting, in writing, that such enrollment be so established, changed or cancelled. Except as otherwise provided in section 12 of chapter four, sections one and two of chapter 52, and sections forty A and 48forty-eight of this chapter, such enrollment, change or cancellation shall take effect upon the receipt by said board of such certificate or appearance, as the case may be; provided, however, that no such enrollment, change or cancellation shall take effect for a primary during the twenty days prior to such primary; provided further, that a voter registered in a political designation that is not a political party as defined in section 1 of chapter 50 shall be considered unenrolled for the purpose of the primary and shall be eligible to receive a ballot of a political party of the voter's choosing. No voter enrolled as a member of one political party or political designation shall be allowed to receive the ballot of any other political party, upon a claim by him of erroneous enrolment, except upon a certificate of such error from the registrars, which shall be presented to the presiding officer of the primary and shall be attached to, and considered a part of the voting list and returned and preserved therewith; but the political party or political designation enrolment of a voter shall not preclude him from receiving at a city or town primary the ballot of any municipal party, though in no one primary shall he receive more than one party ballot. Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 53, § 38

New Hampshire

Open to Unaffiliated

First Wednesday in June before the primary election

~97 days (Sept. 8 primary date)

IV. No person, who is already registered to vote, whether his party membership has been previously registered or not, shall affiliate with a party or disaffiliate from a party between the first Wednesday in June and the day before the state primary election. N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 654:34

New Jersey 

Closed

50 days before the primary election

50 days

If, when submitting a voter registration form for any reason, a registrant declares thereon his or her political party affiliation and in so doing declares an affiliation with a political party other than the political party with which that person was affiliated previously, the registrant shall be ineligible to vote in the next succeeding primary election unless he or she has made the declaration of affiliation with the political party specified in the latest voter registration form no later than the 50th day next preceding such primary election. N.J. Rev. Stat. § 19:31-13.2

New Mexico

Open to Unaffiliated

28 days before the primary election

28 days

Except for qualified electors who register to vote or update a certificate of registration at a voting location prior to voting pursuant to Section 1-4-5.7 NMSA 1978, for qualified electors seeking to register to vote or update an existing voter registration in the state, the following provisions shall apply: A. to participate in an election, the deadline to register to vote or update an existing voter registration is twenty-eight days prior to that election; N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-4-8

C. A voter whose political party affiliation on the voter's certificate of registration is with a major political party shall not be allowed to change party affiliation when updating an existing certificate of registration or registering to vote at a voting location immediately before voting in a primary election. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-4-5.7

New York 

Closed

Feb. 14 before the primary election, otherwise changes will take effect 7 days after the primary

~129 days (June 23 primary)

3. A change of enrollment received by the board of elections will take effect immediately, provided however, any change of enrollment received by the board of elections after February 14th and before or on seven days after the June primary shall take effect on the seventh day after the June primary. N.Y. Elec. Law § 5-304

North Carolina

Open to Unaffiliated

20 to 25 days before the primary election

20 to 25 days

(d) Deadline to Change Status Before Primary. - If a registrant applies to change party affiliation or unaffiliated status later than the last day for applying to register under G.S. 163-82.6 before a primary, the registrant shall not be entitled to vote in the primary of a party in which the registrant's status on that last day did not entitle the registrant to vote. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-82.17

(d) Registration Deadlines for a Primary or Election. - In order to be valid for a primary or election, the form:(1) If submitted by mail, must be postmarked at least 25 days before the primary or election, except that any mailed application on which the postmark is missing or unclear is validly submitted if received in the mail not later than 20 days before the primary or election,(2) If submitted in person, by facsimile transmission, or by transmission of a scanned document, must be received by the county board of elections by a time established by that board, but no earlier than 5 p.m., on the 25th day before the primary or election,(3) If submitted through a delegatee who violates the duty set forth in subsection (a) of this section, must be signed by the applicant and given to the delegatee not later than 25 days before the primary or election, except as provided in subsection (f) of this section.

(e) If the application is submitted by facsimile transmission or transmission of a scanned document, a permanent copy of the completed, signed form shall be delivered to the county board no later than 20 days before the election. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-82.6

Oklahoma

Partially Closed

April 1 in even years

~76 days (June 16 primary date)

Any registered voter may make application under oath to change political affiliation by executing a form prescribed by the Secretary of the State Election Board at any time. The county election board secretary in the applicant's county of residence shall process and approve any such application for political affiliation change upon receipt, except as provided in Section 4-110.1 of this title and except during the period from April 1 through August 31, inclusive, in any even-numbered year. The secretary shall process and approve such applications for change of political affiliation received or postmarked from April 1 through Aug. 31 in any even-numbered year after Aug. 31.Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 4-119

Oregon 

Partially Closed (Neither party has opened their primaries up)

20 days before the primary election

20 days

An elector who updates a registration during the period extending from the 20th day before a primary election to the date of the primary election may not, during that period: (1) Change the elector's political party affiliation if the elector's immediate past registration record shows the elector was or is registered as affiliated with a political party. (2) Terminate affiliation with a political party if the elector's immediate past registration record shows the elector was or is registered as affiliated with a political party. (3) Adopt a political party affiliation if the elector's immediate past registration shows that the elector was not or is not registered as affiliated with a political party. Or. Rev. Stat. § 247.203

Pennsylvania 

Closed

15 days before the primary election

15 days

By the deadline for registration, a registered elector who desires to change the enrollment of political designation or who, although registered, has not previously enrolled as a member of a party may appear before a commissioner, registrar or clerk or may submit an application by mail under section 1324 (relating to application by mail) and state in a signed writing the political party in which the registered elector desires to be enrolled. If the signature of the elector is verified by comparison with the registered elector's signature as it appears on file with the commission, the commissioner, registrar or clerk shall make the change in its registration records. If supported by other evidence of identity, a mark may be made in lieu of a signature by a registered elector who is unable to write. The mark must be made in the presence of a witness who must sign the registration application. Pa. Cons. Stat. tit. 25, § 1503

(b) In the administration of voter registration, each commission shall ensure that an applicant who is a qualified elector is registered to vote in an election when the applicant has met any of the following conditions: (1) In the case of voter registration with a motor vehicle driver's license application under 25 Pa.C.S. § 1323 (relating to application with driver's license application), if the valid voter registration application is received by the appropriate commission not later than 15 days before the election. (2) (Reserved). (3) In the case of voter registration at a voter registration agency under 25 Pa.C.S. § 1325 (relating to government agencies), if the valid voter registration application is received by the appropriate commission not later than 15 days before the election. (4) In any other case, if the valid voter registration application of the applicant is received by the appropriate commission not later than 15 days before the election. Pa. Stat. tit. 25, § 3071

Rhode Island

Open to Unaffiliated

30 days before the primary election

30 days

(a) Any person who has designated his or her party affiliation pursuant to § 17-9.1-23 may change the designation on or before the 30th day preceding any primary election for which the person is eligible. Whenever any person desires to change his or her party designation, that person shall submit to the local board of the city or town in which that person has his or her residence, as defined in § 17-1-3.1, or before the clerk or other duly authorized agent of the board, and shall change his or her party designation and, after the information has been recorded on the form furnished for that purpose, the person shall sign his or her name and certify to the truth of the facts recorded in the appropriate spaces in the form. For the convenience of persons voting at a primary election, forms for changing party designation shall be available at all primary polling places. The presence of the forms at the primary polling place shall not be construed to allow a person to change his or her party designation within 30 days preceding the primary election. R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-9.1-24

South Dakota

Partially Closed

15 days before the primary election

15 days

A person may designate or change that person's party affiliation, name, address, phone number, or email address by completing a new registration card. If a person completes a registration card to change that person's name, address, phone number, or email address, and leaves the field for party affiliation blank, the county auditor must list the person's party affiliation as the most recent party affiliation registered for that person. If a person completes a registration card to register to vote for the first time in the state and leaves the field for party affiliation blank, the county auditor must register that person's party affiliation as no party affiliation. S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 12-4-15

The county auditor shall enter in the master registration file the name of each eligible person whose completed application for registration and mail registration card is received no later than 5 p.m. local time at least 15 days preceding the election by the county auditor or the local, state, or federal agency responsible for conducting voter registration under this chapter. A voter registration completed at any local, state, or federal agency during any week commencing on Tuesday through the following Monday shall be sent to the appropriate county auditor by the agency receiving the registration or mail registration card no later than the following Wednesday. The State Board of Elections may promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, for the alternative transmission of voter registration information by computer from the agency to the secretary of state. The name of any voter who has registered to vote by 5: p.m. local time 15 days preceding a runoff election shall be added to the file used for the runoff election. S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 12-4-5

Tennessee

Closed

(No party registration)

N/A

Utah 

Partially Closed

April 1 in even-numbered non-presidential years, Jan. 2 in presidential years

~83 days (June 23 state primary date)

1) As used in this section, "change of affiliation deadline" means: (a) for an election held in an even-numbered year in which a presidential election will be held, the day after the declaration of candidacy deadline described in Subsection 20A-9-201.5(2)(b); or (b) for an election held in an even-numbered year in which a presidential election will not be held, April 1. Utah Code Ann. § 20A-2-107

West Virginia

Partially Closed

21 days before the primary election

21 days

(a) A voter who designates a political affiliation with a major party on a registration application filed no later than the close of voter registration before the primary may vote the ballot of that political party in the primary election. Political parties, through the official action of their state executive committees, shall be permitted to determine whether unaffiliated voters or voters of other parties shall be allowed to vote that party's primary election ballot upon request. W. Va. Code § 3-2-31

(a) Voter registration before an election closes on the 21st day before the election or on the first day thereafter which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday at (1) 11:59 p.m. for online registration; or (2) At the close of business at county clerk's offices and the Secretary of State's office. W. Va. Code § 3-2-6

Wyoming

Closed

Before the first day to file for candidacy (96 days before the primary)

97 days

(a) For a primary election, an elector may declare or change party affiliation by completing an application signed before a notarial officer or election official and filing it with the county clerk before the first day on which an application for nomination may be filed under W.S. 22-5-209.(b) For a general election, an elector may declare or change party affiliation by completing an application signed before a notarial officer or election official, and filing it with the county clerk after the primary election and not less than 14 days before the general election or at the polls on the day of the general election, or when requesting an absentee ballot for the general election. Wyo. Stat. § 22-5-214

An application for nomination shall be filed not more than 96 days and not later than eighty-one (81) days next preceding the primary election. Not later than 68 days before a primary election the secretary of state shall transmit to each county clerk a certified list of persons whose applications have been filed in the office of the secretary of state stating as to each his name, age, address, office sought and party affiliation. Wyo. Stat. § 22-5-209