Deadline to change party affiliation is March 31

Oklahomans who want to elect the nominee of a political party in the Primary or Runoff Primary Elections later this year should make sure they are registered in that party no later than Monday, March 31, according to Erin Dorio, Secretary of the Logan County Election Board.

Changes of political affiliation are prohibited by law during the period beginning April 1 and continuing through August 31 in even-numbered years, Dorio said.

Each political party can nominate one candidate per office for the November General Election. If two or more candidates from the same party file for one office, the party nominee is selected at either the Primary or Runoff Primary Election.

Only voters registered in a political party can vote to select that party’s nominees. Voters not registered in a party (Independents) cannot vote for party candidates in primary elections. Oklahoma has 2 recognized political parties in 2014: DEMOCRAT and REPUBLICAN.

All registered voters, regardless of political affiliation, can vote for any candidate at the November General Election and for state or local questions at any election.

Applications to register to vote or to change political affiliation are available at the Logan County Election Board office, 224 E Vilas Ave, Guthrie, OK; post offices; public libraries; state offices providing public assistance; and at most political party and candidate campaign offices.