Presidential Primary and Choices for "No Party Preference" Voters

Voters not registered with a qualified political party are considered "No Party Preference" voters for California's presidential primary election. Voters with No Party Preference will not have the contest for U.S. President on their ballot unless they take action to receive a party ballot.

What is a Presidential Primary?

Voting for a U.S. President in a primary election is part of the process of determining who will represent their political party in the general election. Voters who registered with a political party choose who will be the nominee among the candidates from their political party.

Voters who did not register with a qualified political party or declined to state a party affiliation are considered “No Party Preference” (NPP) voters. NPP voters who take no action will receive a primary ballot without the contest or candidates for U.S. President.

What choices do No Party Preference voters have?

If a No Party Preference (NPP) voter wants to vote in the presidential primary for a candidate with the Green, Peace and Freedom, or Republican parties, the voter must re-register with that specific political party because these parties are not allowing cross-over voting this election. To re-register to vote online, go to RegisterToVote.ca.gov. or complete a paper Voter Registration Card.

If an NPP voter wants to vote in the presidential primary for a candidate with the American Independent, Democratic, or Libertarian parties, the voter may re-register with that specific political party or may request a No Party Preference Cross-over Ballot without re-registering with a political party. Active voters who are registered as NPP will be mailed a card they can return if they wish to receive a ballot from the parties offering cross-over voting.

To re-register to vote online, go to RegisterToVote.ca.gov. or complete a paper Voter Registration Card. The deadline to re-register to vote is February 20, 2024. If you miss the registration deadline, you may register in person at a Yolo County Vote Center or at the Yolo County Elections Office.

How do No Party Preference voters get an NPP Cross-over Ballot?

No Party Preference (NPP) voters can request an cross-over ballot be mailed to them by submitting a “No Party Preference Cross-over Ballot Notice and Application.” A direct request from the NPP voter can also be accepted by phone at (800) 649-9943.

A postcard form was mailed in December 2023 to all NPP voters. The postcard form or the form linked below can be submitted by email at [email protected] or by fax at (530) 666-8123.

Ballots are prepared for mailing in January 2024, so NPP voters should make the request as soon as possible.

NPP voters may also request a No Party Preference Cross-over Ballot in person at a Yolo County Vote Center or at the Yolo County Elections Office.