By Nick Norlen, Staff Writer
Unaffiliated voters can vote in Tuesday’s New Jersey presidential primary.
That was the plain-and-simple announcement made Thursday by the state office of The League of Women Voters of New Jersey, which declared that it has been “receiving a high number of calls from voters” who are still unsure about their eligibility.
But the league leaves no doubt that unaffiliated voters, who account for nearly 60 percent of registered voters statewide — approximately 2.8 million — can declare their party affiliation at the polls Tuesday.
According to the league, confusion has lingered about the distinction between the terms “independent” and “unaffiliated.”
Writing the word “independent” in the party designation line on one’s voter registration form is considered a party declaration, and voters who have done so will not be allowed to participate Tuesday. Similarly, voters already registered as Democrats or Republicans can only vote in their respective party’s primaries. The deadline for switching party affiliations was Dec. 17.
However, those who did not write anything in the party designation line are considered “unaffiliated,” and can vote Tuesday.
Those unsure about their designation should call the county clerk’s office, the league says.
For those who are in fact unaffiliated, voting in the primary requires simply declaring a party affiliation to the poll workers upon arriving at the polling station, according to Elections Supervisor Brian Basford of the Mercer County Clerk’s Office.
”Poll workers will mark it down in their poll book and give them their voting authority slip,” he said, noting that only one party’s ballot will be visible in the booth.
The league’s release also reminds residents that those who vote in the primary and then wish to change their status back to “unaffiliated” must file a Party Affiliation Declaration form with the county clerk, commissioner of registration or municipal clerk. Otherwise, voters will retain the affiliation they declared at the polls.
Following the league’s announcement, U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-9) issued a similar release Thursday about a public service campaign to educate unaffiliated voters about their eligibility to vote in the primary.
According to the release, the $80,000 campaign — funded by Rep. Rothman’s campaign committee, Steve Rothman for New Jersey — will consist of public appearances around the state and a series of automated phone calls from the congressman to unaffiliated voters letting them know they can vote on Tuesday.
Although the calls will not mention the names of any candidates, Rep. Rothman admits in the release that the effort is at least partially politically motivated.
”Our party stands to gain many more registered voters which will help Sen. Frank Lautenberg is his re-election this year as well as all Democratic candidates in the future,” he said in the statement. “I am also a strong supporter of Senator Barack Obama’s campaign for President and I am hopeful that a huge turnout in New Jersey will help his efforts here.”
Still, the recording of Rep. Rothman will remind voters that “as long as you bring an ID or proof of residence on Election Day, you can vote for any candidate.”
Like the sample ballots that were recently mailed to voters, the official ballots in the booths Tuesday will also feature the names of candidates who have since dropped out of the running — such as Rudy Giuliani and John Edwards — according to Mr. Basford.
Other primary information:
• Polling hours and locations: The polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. To find your polling place and other voting information online, visit New Jersey’s Division of Elections home page at www.nj.gov/oag/elections/electionshome.
• Registration: Voters must have registered to vote prior to the primary. The last day to register to vote in the Tuesday primary was Jan. 15. Most residents will be able to vote at their regular polling locations, and those who will be required to vote at different locations will be notified of any changes by the Board of Elections.
• Absentee ballots: Absentee ballots can be obtained at the county clerk’s office until 3 p.m. Monday. Voters who have not already mailed in completed ballots can hand-deliver them through Election Day.
