Since January 1, 2001, California has had a "modified" closed primary system that permits "no party preference" (formally known as "decline-to-state") voters to participate in a party's primary election if authorized by the individual party's rules and duly noticed to the Secretary of State. If authorized by a party, no party preference voters would be allowed to vote for the office of U.S. President for that party.

Listed below is the history of the political parties who adopted a party rule permitting no party preference voters to request a party ballot in recent primary elections for partisan offices.

  • March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election
    American Independent Party, letter dated October 10, 2023
    Democratic Party, letter dated October 19, 2023
    Libertarian Party, letter received October 17, 2023
  • March 3, 2020, Presidential Primary Election
    American Independent Party, letter dated October 16, 2019
    Democratic Party, letter dated September 23, 2019
    Libertarian Party, letter received October 11, 2019
  • June 7, 2016, Presidential Primary Election
    American Independent Party, letter dated December 31, 2015
    Democratic Party, letter dated January 15, 2015
    Libertarian Party, letter dated January 25, 2016
  • June 5, 2012, Presidential Primary Election
    American Independent Party, letter dated January 23, 2012
    Democratic Party, letter dated January 19, 2012
  • June 8, 2010, Statewide Direct Primary Election
    Democratic Party, letter dated January 7, 2010
    Republican Party, letter dated January 25, 2010
  • June 3, 2008, Statewide Direct Primary Election
    American Independent Party, letters dated January 22 and January 24, 2008
    Democratic Party, letter dated January 8, 2008
    Republican Party, letter dated September 24, 2007
  • February 5, 2008, Presidential Primary Election
    American Independent Party, letter dated August 23, 2007
    Democratic Party, letter dated September 19, 2007
  • June 6, 2006, Primary Election
    American Independent Party, letter dated January 10, 2006
    Democratic Party, letter dated January 4, 2006
    Republican Party, letter dated January 23, 2006
  • March 2, 2004, Primary Election
    American Independent Party, letter dated September 30, 2003
    Democratic Party, letter dated October 20, 2003
    Republican Party, letter dated October 20, 2003