Yes — independents can vote in primaries in California, and in most races they use the same ballot as everyone else. California registers unaffiliated voters as “No Party Preference” (NPP) rather than “independent,” and for the offices that make up most of a primary ballot, NPP voters face no restrictions. The one area where party rules still matter is the presidential primary, which happens only in presidential election years and follows its own rules.
“Independent” in California Means No Party Preference
California does not offer “independent” as a registration status. If you choose not to join a political party, your registration reads “No Party Preference.” The Secretary of State used to call this “decline-to-state.” It is a status, not a party.1California Secretary of State. No Party Preference Information
This matters because California also has a real political party called the American Independent Party, and many voters join it by mistake. Research has found that roughly 73 percent of American Independent Party members in the state believed they were registering as unaffiliated. They saw the word “Independent” and checked the box. If your registration shows American Independent Party and you meant to be unaffiliated, you are in a party, and you will not receive an NPP ballot. Fix it by re-registering as No Party Preference at registertovote.ca.gov.
Check your current status before the next election. The quickest way to confirm is through the Secretary of State’s online voter lookup.
The Races Where Your Status Does Not Matter
For almost every office on a primary ballot, NPP voters get the same ballot as party members. Under the Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act, every candidate for a “voter-nominated office” appears on a single ballot available to all registered voters. These offices include governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state legislators, and every U.S. House and Senate seat.2California Secretary of State. Primary Elections in California
Pick any candidate, regardless of their party or yours. The top two vote-getters move on to the general, even when they belong to the same party. No special request, no extra form. You just vote.
Presidential Primaries Are the Exception
Presidential primaries use a modified closed system, and they only happen in presidential election years (2024, 2028, and so on). Each party decides for itself whether NPP voters can take part. If a party opts in, you can request its presidential ballot without changing your registration. If a party opts out, you have to re-register with that party to vote in its presidential contest.1California Secretary of State. No Party Preference Information
Party choices can shift from one cycle to the next, so the Secretary of State publishes an updated list before each presidential primary. In the most recent one, March 2024, the split looked like this:
Parties That Let NPP Voters Cross Over in 2024
- Democratic Party (presidential race only, not party central committee contests)
- American Independent Party
- Libertarian Party
Requesting one of these ballots did not change your registration. You remained NPP afterward.1California Secretary of State. No Party Preference Information
Parties That Required Re-Registration in 2024
- Republican Party
- Green Party
- Peace and Freedom Party
How to Get a Crossover Presidential Ballot
As an NPP voter in a presidential year, you receive a nonpartisan ballot by default, with voter-nominated offices and local measures but no presidential candidates. To vote in a participating party’s presidential contest, you have to ask.1California Secretary of State. No Party Preference Information
County elections offices usually mail a crossover ballot request card before a presidential primary. Check the party you want, sign, and send it back. You can also call, email, or visit your county elections office, and voters who come to a vote center on Election Day can request a crossover ballot in person. Mail-in deadlines vary by county and typically fall a few days before the election.
Registration Deadlines and Same-Day Registration
California’s standard voter registration deadline is 15 days before Election Day, whether you register online, by mail, or at the DMV.3California Legislative Information. California Elections Code – Chapter 2
Miss it and you still have options. Conditional voter registration (same-day registration) is available during the 14 days before an election and on Election Day. You can register and vote at a county elections office, a vote center, or a polling place, and the ballot is counted once your registration is verified.4California Secretary of State. Same Day Voter Registration (Conditional Voter Registration)
Same-day registration also lets you change your party status after the 15-day cutoff, which can matter if you decide late that you want to vote in a closed presidential contest.
Changing Your Party Preference
You can update your party preference any time by re-registering. The fastest route is online at registertovote.ca.gov. Paper forms are available through county elections offices and the DMV. For the change to take effect for a given election through the standard process, finish it at least 15 days out.5California Secretary of State. Registering to Vote
The clearest reason an NPP voter might re-register: you want to vote in a presidential primary held by a party that does not allow crossover voting. Register with that party before the deadline, vote, and switch back to NPP afterward if you want. There is no limit on how often you change, and no fee.