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It is election year once again, and the primary election is fast approaching. So, have you registered? The deadline to register in person, by mail and online is Tuesday, Feb. 20.

All California active registered voters will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 5, Presidential Primary Election. Political parties use primaries and caucuses to determine which candidates will run for their state’s partisan offices in the Nov. 5, 2024, general election.

The first big multistate contest will be on Super Tuesday on March 5, when 16 states and one territory will vote. The final states to hold presidential primary contests will vote in June.

If you’re registered with a political party, then that party’s presidential candidates will appear on your March 2024 presidential primary ballot. If you want to vote for a presidential candidate from another political party, you’ll need to re-register with that party. For that reason, the Registrar’s office encourages you to verify your political party preference and your home and mailing address. Ballots start going out to registered voters the week of Feb. 4.

All registered voters fall under two categories:

1. Registered with a Political Party Preference

If you are registered with one of the six qualified political parties in California, your ballot will list only that party’s presidential primary candidates. You can vote only for that party’s presidential candidates.

California’s qualified political parties are:

American Independent Party

Democratic Party

Green Party

Libertarian Party

Peace and Freedom Party

Republican Party

If your party registration differs from the party of the presidential candidate you want to vote for, you will need to register to vote with that party.

2. Registered as Nonpartisan (Also Known as Independent or No Party Preference)

If you are registered as nonpartisan, you will automatically receive a nonpartisan ballot for the March 5 election. Your nonpartisan ballot will not list the presidential primary contest or candidates.

Nearly 490,000 voters in San Diego County are registered as nonpartisan. As a nonpartisan voter, you can select one of three different crossover ballot types.

Political Parties Allowing Nonpartisan Voters to Crossover:

This year, the American Independent Party, Democratic Party and Libertarian Party are allowing nonpartisan voters to take part in their presidential primary elections.

Nonpartisan voters must request one of these three parties’ ballots to vote for that party’s presidential primary candidate. Selecting one of these three political party ballots will not register you with that party. You will remain a nonpartisan voter.

You can complete the Registrar’s nonpartisan crossover party ballot request form found at sdvote.com or visit the Registrar’s office in Kearny Mesa from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Also note that the Democratic Party is allowing nonpartisan voters to vote in its presidential contest, but not its Central Committee contest. If requested, you will receive the nonpartisan version of the Democratic ballot.

Political Parties NOT Allowing Nonpartisan Voters to Crossover

This year, the Green Party, Peace and Freedom Party and Republican Party have closed their presidential primary to nonpartisan voters.

Nonpartisan voters will not be able to select one of these ballots. Nonpartisan voters who want one of these parties’ ballots will need to re-register with that party.

You can fill out a new voter registration form online at sdvote.com.

No matter what your party preference, all registered voters will be allowed to vote on nonpartisan contests and voter-nominated offices, such as U.S. congressional offices and state legislative offices. The top two vote getters in voter-nominated contests will advance to the Nov. 5 general election.

Not sure which political party you’re registered with or if you’re registered to vote? You can check your registration, re-register, and register to vote at sdvote.com. The Registrar’s office encourages you to do so well before Feb. 20 to avoid delays and long lines at vote centers.

Learn more about voting in the March 5 presidential primary at sdvote.com, or call 858-565-5800 or toll free at 800-696-0136.

Some questions answered:

Can I register to vote when I cast my ballot on Election Day? Yes.

Is online voter registration available? Yes.

Do I need to be registered with a party to vote in my primary election? No.

Can I change my party affiliation? Yes. Online, by mail, or in person, by Tuesday, Feb. 20. Voters who miss this deadline can conditionally change their party registration using same-day voter registration during early voting and on Election Day.

Voting by mail in California

Can I vote by mail in my state for any reason? Yes. Voters do not need a reason to vote by mail.

Can I vote by mail without a notary or witness? Yes.

Is there an ID requirement? No. ID is not required to vote by mail, except for some first-time voters.

Can I drop off my mail-in ballot in person? Yes. At a local election office, polling site, or using a drop box.

Deadline to request mail-in ballot: All registered voters receive their ballot automatically.

Deadline for mail ballot return: Must be delivered by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5, if dropping off in person; must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 5, and received by Tuesday, March 12, if returning by mail

Early Voting

Can I vote early (before Election Day) in person? Yes.

When is the first day I can vote early in person and the last day? It varies. Check with your local election office.

Is there an ID requirement? If so, what is an acceptable form of ID? No. ID is not required for early voting, except for some first-time voters.

Election Day Voting

Can I register and cast my ballot on the same day? Yes.

Is there an ID requirement? If so, what is an acceptable form of ID? No. ID is not required to vote on Election Day, except for some first-time voters.