Deadlines Loom For Would-Be Primary Voters In Bridgeport

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – A few different deadlines are coming up for Connecticut's presidential primary -- especially if you need to change your party -- even though Connecticut's primary is over three months away.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill has provided important details for Connecticut residents who wish to vote in Connecticut's April primary.
Photo Credit: *State of Connecticut*

Rachel Martin

01/21/2016 5:00 a.m.

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill is reminding voters that you must be enrolled in a political party to vote in a primary in Connecticut.

Also, voters who switch from one party to another must be members of the new party for at least three months in order to vote in that party’s primary. This includes members of minor parties in the state, including the Independent Party, the Green Party, Libertarian, or Working Families Party.

Additionally, membership in the Independent Party is not the same as being an unaffiliated voter in Connecticut.

To join a political party, currently registered voters must complete a new voter registration card and mark “Party Change” at the top. This form is available at the registrar of voters office in their town hall, or online, here.

Primary voting is from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, and residents can register in-person, by mail or online, though deadlines vary by method.

Here are the applicable deadlines:

for currently registered folks to change political parties, in order to vote in the new party’s primary -- Tuesday, Jan. 26
for new voters or unaffiliated voters (either a member of no political party, or at least for the last three months) to join a political party online or by mail, in order to vote in that party’s primary -- Thursday, April 21
for unaffiliated voters to join a political party in-person, in order to vote in that party's primary -- Monday, April 25, at noon

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