SANDWICH – Some voters who believe they are unenrolled in Massachusetts may be upset when they go to cast a ballot in the Presidential Primary on March 1.
Town clerks on Cape Cod are concerned that an increasing number of residents that consider themselves “independent” might have accidentally registered in the United Independent Party.
The four official political parties in the state are Democratic, Republic, Green-Rainbow and United Independent.
Sandwich Town Clerk Taylor White said the word “independent” can be confusing to a lot of voters.
“People in popular culture right now see themselves as independent. It’s a growing trend,” White said. “But in Massachusetts if you want to have the title of independent that’s fine but your registration needs to be what’s called unenrolled.”
In the upcoming primary, voters who are enrolled in a party can only cast that party’s ballot.
Voters that are registered as unenrolled will get to choose one ballot from the four parties.
The United Independent party’s ballot is blank for the Presidential Primary.
“We are just trying to get the word out to make sure that people aren’t confused – that they aren’t disappointed when they show up at the polls,” White said. “And they are not given an option that they think they have walking into the polls.”
The deadline to register to vote or change enrollment for the upcoming primary election is Wednesday, February 10 at 8 p.m.
White recommends residents check their voter status by calling their town clerk or by going to the secretary of state’s website.
Click here to check your voter status.
The primary for state elections will be held on September 8.
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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