What determines your political party affiliation and how can you change it?
Changing political parties has been a common topic of discussion this year! When you vote in a primary election in Ohio, or any open primary state, you’re not only casting a ballot—you’re also choosing your political affiliation.
In a primary election, when you request and vote a political party’s ballot, you become a registered Democrat or Republican. Your party affiliation is set until the next primary election, when you can choose the same party’s primary ballot, a different party’s ballot, or an unaffiliated ballot. You would need to vote an unaffiliated ballot for two consecutive years to return to No Party affiliation status.
If you’ve never voted in a primary election in Ohio, you’re listed as having No Party affiliation. Many voters assume they’re already classified as a Democrat or Republican, but unless they’ve participated in a primary, they’re marked as No Party. Want to vote in a primary yet remain independent with No Party affiliation? You can! Ask for an undeclared ballot – it will include all public issues in your municipality, county and state, though you won’t get a say in the nominations or representatives for the Democratic or Republican parties.
What’s it all mean?
The 2024 primary election has already occurred in Ohio, so your official affiliation is set until the next primary. For voting purposes, you’re classified based on your most recent primary ballot. But for personal purposes, you may feel you are a Democrat or a Republican or a minor party or independent. And what matters most is how you vote in the election! Voters are free to vote for the candidates and issue positions that best represent them, regardless of current party affiliation. And of course, how you vote will always remain secret.
Make sure your voter registration is up to date and find your voting location on the Secretary of State’s Voter Search page.
Find out more in person by getting in touch with us or checking out our voting resources for Clermont County.
