CA Independents Voting in 2020 Presidential Primaries Update

Thanks to Richard Winger of Ballot Access News for this post.

In 2016, the California Democratic, Libertarian, and American Independent Party allowed Independents to Vote in their Presidential Primary. The Republican, Green, and Peace & Freedom Parties, did not.

California has a particularly Awkward and Obscure system for Independent Voters. They must Request a Partisan Ballot from Parties that Allow them to Vote. It can’t be Offered. For Absentee Voters this is particularly Hard since the Ballot is Sent to the Voter.

On August 30th, the Senate Appropriations Committee Passed AB 681, after Amending it.

The Bill as Amended:

- Independent Voters Receive Two Postal Notices telling them which Parties Allow Independent Voters to Vote in their Primaries, instead of Three Notices.

- If an Independent Voter Receives a Mail Ballot that doesn’t include any Particular Party’s Primary Ballot that Allows Independent Voters, the Voter may Return it and Request a Ballot for any Party that Allows Independents to Vote in its Presidential Primary.

- Permit Voters to Change their Affiliation at the Polls on Election Day.

- Require Cards be sent out to Registered Voters informing them of their Current Party Affiliation, and of their Options in the Upcoming Presidential Primary.

- Informs Voters how to Change their Party Affiliation.

This Bill would Declare that it is to take Effect Immediately as an Urgency Statute.

The California Deadline for Parties to tell the State whether they want to Allow Independents to Vote in their Presidential Primary is No Later than the 135th Day before Election Day, June 20th 2020.









NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker