What Can Decline-to-State Voters Do?

March 23, 2010 - The question pertains to decline-to-state (DTS) voters and their options for voting in the June 2010 Primary Election. But first - it might be helpful to define what "DTS" means. Voters have the option of not affiliating with a qualified party, such as Democrats or Republicans, when they register or re-register to vote. This does not mean that they do not identify with a particular party, they just choose to remain private about their political beliefs. Others may simply be independent and prefer to make their decisions based on information from a variety of sources.

This is where the California modified open primary system comes into play. During each primary parties can "opt in" DTS voters -allowing them to vote in their primary elections. For June, both the Democrats and Republicans will allow DTS voters to vote their ballots. Permanent DTS voters have been mailed a postcard (pink in color) asking them to select one of these party ballots or a nonpartisan ballot. In addition, DTS voters who apply for a one-time vote-by-mail ballot will have the option to make the same selection, or can do so at their poll site.

If you do not request a party ballot, you will be given a nonpartisan ballot, containing only the names of all candidates for nonpartisan offices and measures to be voted upon at the primary election.