The pivotal California presidential primary election takes place on June 7, just 75 days from today.  What is not well known to most California voters is that California’s Republican primary is a closed primary election.  That means that if you are currently a registered Democrat or a registered independent, you cannot vote for Donald Trump or Ted Cruz on June 7.  Your local polling station will not give you a Republican primary ballot unless you are registered as a Republican.

So, May 23, 2016 is the final day to go online, register as a new voter, and change your party affiliation. 

Here is a link to the California secretary of state’s website to register to vote.

While there is no crossover voting allowed by the California GOP party, the Democrats and a couple of other minor parties do allow crossover voting by independents and Republicans.  Interesting, to say the least.

If you are not currently registered as a Republican in the Golden State and you want to participate in the California Republican primary, you must register as new voter online by May 23, 2016 and change you party affiliation to Republican.

Okay.  I think you got it.