Unaffiliated is a status for registered voters in New Jersey. Those voters who do not specify a political party affiliation when they register to vote are listed as unaffiliated.[1]
New Jersey is a closed primary state.[2] This means that only voters who affiliate with a political party may vote in that party's candidate selection process (i.e., the primary election). However, unaffiliated voters may declare their party affiliation up to and including the day of the primary election.[1] Unaffiliated status does not affect participation in general elections.
Affiliated voters may change their status to unaffiliated or to another political party if they wish, although any such change must be filed with the state 55 days before the primary election.[1]
Footnotes[edit]
- ^ a b c "Political Party Resources." Division of Elections. New Jersey Department of State. 2010.
- ^ Hazan and Rahat, 2010, p. 40-41.
Bibliography[edit]
- Hazan, Reuven Y. and Rahat, Gideon. Democracy Within Parties: Candidate Selection Methods and Their Political Consequences. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.