How nonpartisans can vote for president in June primary

Those who checked “No Party Preference” when they registered to vote will need to take steps if they’re eager to vote for Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton or maybe a Green Party candidate for president in the June primary.

(What follows is not for voters registered as Republicans, Democrats or with any other party.)

In Stanislaus County, there are about 38,000 who have chosen not to register with a political party. They should understand that crossover voting is part of California’s primary.

County Registrar of Voters Lee Lundrigan explained that, with the presidential primary, political parties can decide whether these nonpartisan voters can “cross over” and vote for one of their candidates.

Three parties – the Democrats, American Independents and Libertarians – have approved crossover voting for the June 7 election. Nonpartisans who want to vote for a Democrat, American Independent or Libertarian for president will need a ballot for that respective party.

If they returned the postcard included with their sample ballot, asking for the appropriate party ballot, they simply wait for the ballot to arrive – it’s coming soon.

Lundrigan said it is too late to return the postcard, but other voters can request a ballot for crossover voting when they check in at the polls June 7, or pick up the appropriate mail ballot at the county Registrar of Voters Office at 1021 I St., Suite 101, in downtown Modesto.

Lundrigan said they should take whatever vote-by-mail ballot they have to the polls or elections office, so they don’t have to use a provisional ballot. No Party Preference registrants who vote by mail are given a nonpartisan ballot for state and local races.

Choosing to use a crossover ballot for the presidential primary does not change a voter’s registration status.

No Party Preference voters are not able to vote for a Republican, Green, or Peace and Freedom presidential candidate in June. Those parties decided not to allow it.

To vote for Trump, Ted Cruz or others on the ballot, they need to register with one of the respective parties by May 23.

They can re-register at www.registertovote.ca.gov, get a registration form at the Registrar of Voters Office or call 209-525-5201 to request a form.

More information about the June primary is at www.stanvote.com.

This story was originally published May 10, 2016 at 4:55 PM with the headline "How nonpartisans can vote for president in June primary."