Projo Politics Blog

Today is the deadline for the state's registered Republican and Democratic voters to disaffiliate so they can vote in whichever primary they choose on Sept. 9.

But the Senate has green-lighted a bill that could change that, extending the deadline from today to Monday, Aug. 11, giving voters more time to make a decision.

Under current law, voters have 90 days before a primary, special election or general election to change or leave a political party. If approved by the House and signed into law, the proposal would condense that period to 29 days.

“If this bill were to pass, it would allow the voters the opportunity [to disaffiliate] up to 30 days before,” bill sponsor Leonidas P. Raptakis, D-Coventry, said on the Senate floor yesterday.

Voters in the Democratic or Republican presidential primary last March were automatically affiliated with that party. A record turnout at the presidential primary means there is likely a higher than usual number of affiliated voters.

This September, there may be primaries in the race for state representative, state senate and city and town councils.

Wondering what to do?

Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis said today, "While the bill may become law at some point, June 11 is the law today.

"Voters shouldn't gamble with their right to cast ballots in the primary of their choice on September 9. Even if the bill does become law, disaffiliating today will cause voters no harm. It just means they will have another two months to change their minds."

To disaffiliate, contact your local board of canvassers. Find contact information on the Secretary of State’s Web site.

-- Cynthia Needham, Journal State House bureau, with projo.com reports

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