Changing Political Parties For Primary? You Have Until Wednesday

By JASON KOESTENBLATT (Patch Staff)

As the campaign trails wind toward June 7 in New Jersey, voters in the Garden State need to be aware of their own deadlines.

The deadline to change political party affiliation in New Jersey ahead of the June primary election is Wednesday, April 13.

The form, which can be found by clicking here, needs to be filled out and submitted to the Ocean County Commissioner of Registrations, Wyatt Earp, at 129 Hooper Ave., Toms River. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Voters may declare a political party affiliation or declare to be unaffiliated, regardless of any prior party affiliation, according to the state.

The deadline to register to vote in the Primary Election is May 17. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 7.

If you are a previously affiliated voter who is changing to an unaffiliated voter, you must file a declaration form no later than 55 days before the primary election in order to be registered as unaffiliated for the primary election. An unaffiliated voter can affiliate with the Democratic or Republican Party on the day of the primary, the form notes.