Are you registered as a nonpartisan or an Independent? Be careful with this question, because there are two totally different answers.
A new voter registration card is being phased in as the current supply dwindles in an effort to curb party affiliation confusion. According to an article published yesterday by the AP, “Secretary of State Debra Bowen says some voters complained that they accidentally registered with the American Independent Party when they intended to register as nonpartisan.” You can take a look at a sample of the new voter registration card by clicking here.
So what’s the difference between the two answers? Well, if you don’t want to register with a specific party, then you have to choose the “Decline to State” option on the voter registration card. Selecting this option means that you are nonpartisan; you won’t be affiliated with a political party. Our records show that 82,805 voters are registered as Decline to State in San Mateo County as of July 18.
If you happen to select “American Independent,” you are actually officially registering to be affiliated with the American Independent Party.
According to the American Independent party statement in the Easy Voter Guide, a nonpartisan publication designed to provide quick elections information in a variety of languages, the party “stands for traditional moral values and the God-given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This party believes government should uphold the United States Constitution, including protection of life and property, and provide a strong national defense, free of waste.” The top priorities, as listed in the Easy Voter Guide, are to end illegal immigration, balance the state budget, and address levee repairs and state water problems.
To help you learn more about the different political parties, we’ve put together an excerpt of this guide and published it on Shape The Future. You can download the political party excerpt by clicking here.
Bottom line: When you register, or re-register, before October 20 to vote in the November Presidential General election, make sure to fill out your voter registration card carefully.
