March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election

Qualified political parties in California may hold presidential primaries in one of two ways:

  • Closed presidential primary - the party only allows voters indicating a preference for that party to vote for its presidential nominee.  
    • Three parties are holding a closed presidential primary: the Green Party, the Peace and Freedom Party, and the Republican Party

  • Modified-closed presidential primary - in addition to allowing voters indicating a preference for that party to vote for its presidential nominee, the party also allows No Party Preference voters (voters who did not indicate a party preference) to vote for its presidential nominee.
    • Three parties are holding a modified-closed presidential primary: the American Independent Party, the Democratic Party, and the Libertarian Party

Click on the below tabs for more information.


No Party Preference/No Party

Your vote-by-mail ballot will not have presidential candidates on it.

As a voter who declined to provide a political party preference, you are considered a "No Party Preference (NPP)" voter, and your ballot will not have presidential candidates on it.

If you want to vote for U.S. President, you must request a ballot with presidential candidates from one of the following parties:

  • American Independent Party
  • Democratic Party
  • Libertarian Party

You can request a replacement ballot with presidential candidates from your county elections office by:

  • Phone
  • Email
  • Fax
  • Other electronic means

To contact your county elections office, visit our County Elections Offices page.

If you vote at the polls:

Ask the poll worker for a ballot with either American Independent, Democratic, or Libertarian party presidential candidates when checking-in at a polling place or vote center.

If you want to vote for the Green, Peace and Freedom, or Republican parties' presidential candidates:

You must re-register with that specific party.

To re-register to vote online, go to registertovote.ca.gov. If you need to re-register after February 20, 2024, you can do so in person at a polling place, any vote center, or your county elections office.


The American Independent Party

As a voter registered with the American Independent Party you can ONLY vote for that party's presidential candidates in the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary.

If you want to vote for the Green, Peace and Freedom, or Republican parties' presidential candidates, you must re-register with that specific party.

If you want to vote for the Democratic or Libertarian parties' presidential candidates, you can either re-register with the party or register with No Party Preference. For more details, click on the No Party Preference tab on this page.

You can re-register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov. If you need to re-register after February 20, 2024, you may need to register to vote in person at a polling place, vote center, or your county elections office.


The Democratic Party

As a voter registered with the Democratic Party you can ONLY vote for that party's presidential candidates in the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary.

If you want to vote for the Green, Peace and Freedom, or Republican parties' presidential candidates, you must re-register with that specific party.

If you want to vote for the American Independent or Libertarian parties' presidential candidates, you can either re-register with the party or register with No Party Preference. For more details, click on the No Party Preference tab on this page.

You can re-register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov. If you need to re-register after February 20, 2024, you may need to register to vote in person at a polling place, vote center, or your county elections office.


The Green Party

As a voter registered with the Green Party you can ONLY vote for that party's presidential candidates in the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary.

If you want to vote for the Peace and Freedom, or Republican parties' presidential candidates, you must re-register with that specific party.

If you want to vote for the American Independent, Democratic or Libertarian parties' presidential candidates, you can either re-register with the party or register with No Party Preference. For more details, click on the No Party Preference tab on this page.

You can re-register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov. If you need to re-register after February 20, 2024, you may need to register to vote in person at a polling place, vote center, or your county elections office.


The Libertarian Party

As a voter registered with the Libertarian Party you can ONLY vote for that party's presidential candidates in the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary.

If you want to vote for the Green, Peace and Freedom, or Republican parties' presidential candidates, you must re-register with that specific party.

If you want to vote for the American Independent or Democratic parties' presidential candidates, you can either re-register with the party or register with No Party Preference. For more details, click on the No Party Preference tab on this page.

You can re-register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov. If you need to re-register after February 20, 2024, you may need to register to vote in person at a polling place, vote center, or your county elections office.


The Peace and Freedom Party

As a voter registered with the Peace and Freedom Party you can ONLY vote for that party's presidential candidates in the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary.

If you want to vote for the Green or Republican parties' presidential candidates, you must re-register with that specific party.

If you want to vote for the American Independent, Democratic or Libertarian parties' presidential candidates, you can either re-register with the party or register with No Party Preference. For more details, click on the No Party Preference tab on this page.

You can re-register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov. If you need to re-register after February 20, 2024, you may need to register to vote in person at a polling place, vote center, or your county elections office.


The Republican Party

As a voter registered with the Republican Party you can ONLY vote for that party's presidential candidates in the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary.

If you want to vote for the Green or Peace and Freedom parties' presidential candidates, you must re-register with that specific party.

If you want to vote for the American Independent, Democratic or Libertarian parties' presidential candidates, you can either re-register with the party or register with No Party Preference. For more details, click on the No Party Preference tab on this page.

You can re-register to vote online at registertovote.ca.gov. If you need to re-register after February 20, 2024, you may need to register to vote in person at a polling place, vote center, or your county elections office.


I am not sure if I registered with a political party

You can check your voter registration status, including political party, at any time by visiting voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. You can also call our Voter Hotline at (800) 345-VOTE (8683) for your status.

If you need to register to vote for the first time or update your voter registration information, including political party, visit RegisterToVote.ca.gov


I am registered with an unqualified / unknown political party

Your vote-by-mail ballot will not have presidential candidates on it.

As a voter registered with an unqualified or unknown political party, you will have the same options as a voter registered with No Party Preference for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election.

If you want to vote for U.S. President, you must request a primary election ballot with presidential candidates from one of the following parties:

  • American Independent Party
  • Democratic Party
  • Libertarian Party

To contact your county elections office, visit our County Elections Offices page.

If you vote at the polls:

Ask the poll worker for a ballot with either American Independent, Democratic, or Libertarian party presidential candidates when checking-in at a polling place or vote center.

If you want to vote for the Green, Peace and Freedom, or Republican parties' presidential candidates:

You must re-register with that specific party.

To re-register to vote online, go to registertovote.ca.gov. If you need to re-register after February 20, 2024, you can do so in person at a polling place, any vote center, or your county elections office.

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