If I'm a registered democrat, can I vote in the Virginia republican presidential primary?

[Anonymous]

I'd like to vote for Nikki Haley in the Republican primary and (at least at this point) it doesn't seem there will be a meaningful Democrat primary. Can I just show up and ask for the Republican primary ballot in Virginia or do I need to switch my party affiliation to independent or republican to do that?

[Anonymous]

Most people in Virginia do not register with a party. I vote in whichever primary has the most going on that year (as you say, this year would be the Republican one unless Joe sees the light and realizes he shouldn’t run). I think in theory if you vote in that primary you’re supposed to commit to voting for that party’s candidate in the general election, but that is unenforceable. I don’t think they won’t hand you a Republican ballot if you have a “D” on the books.

[Anonymous]

You can. I voted for McCain. You will be asked to sign a loyalty pledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can. I voted for McCain. You will be asked to sign a loyalty pledge.

Which is as worthless as the paper it is written on.

[Anonymous]

Register as Republican. You can change back later.

[Anonymous]

If you’re in Virginia, you’re not registered with any particular party. The primaries are completely open.

[Anonymous]

Any voter registered in Virginia can vote in a primary. Never had to sign anything.

[Anonymous]

Do you live in VA?

There is no party registration in VA.

[Anonymous]

This is actually a question. I moved to VA decades ago and never needed to pick a party and could vote in any primary. And I’ve done so. Just this year, when affirming that wanted to vote by mail automatically (so Va mails me a ballot automatically), I for the first time saw that I had to choose R or D (or I I think). Not sure what the change is. Saving on postage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in Virginia, you’re not registered with any particular party. The primaries are completely open.

Not sure if this is true since current governor.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I looked at my voter registration and those of you who said Virginia doesn't do party affiliation are correct. I must have been thinking of when I lived and voted in Illinois.

I know that Virginia Republican primaries are often done by caucus, by I assume it's a ballot vote for Presidential primary. If that's the case, I guess there are just two separate ballots and I can choose the Republican ballot for the primary.

Also, I did search on the Virginia Department of Voter Registration site and could not find a clear answer to this, which is why I asked here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you’re in Virginia, you’re not registered with any particular party. The primaries are completely open.

Not sure if this is true since current governor.

I haven't registered with any party since Jan. 2021.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I looked at my voter registration and those of you who said Virginia doesn't do party affiliation are correct. I must have been thinking of when I lived and voted in Illinois.

I know that Virginia Republican primaries are often done by caucus, by I assume it's a ballot vote for Presidential primary. If that's the case, I guess there are just two separate ballots and I can choose the Republican ballot for the primary.

Also, I did search on the Virginia Department of Voter Registration site and could not find a clear answer to this, which is why I asked here.

It's kind of weird - I think it's honor code but I think it's also public record which I don't think it should be.

[Anonymous]

My recent request for mail in ballot in VA required me to choose. That's the first time I recall ever having to check an R or D box in VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is actually a question. I moved to VA decades ago and never needed to pick a party and could vote in any primary. And I’ve done so. Just this year, when affirming that wanted to vote by mail automatically (so Va mails me a ballot automatically), I for the first time saw that I had to choose R or D (or I I think). Not sure what the change is. Saving on postage?

I don’t think we are allowed to vote in both primaries. It’s not about registering with a party in VA but you have one primary vote.