PLEASE NOTE: The original entry misstated the date of the Pennsylvania primary. It is APRIL 22.
Philadelphia election officials yesterday warned voters that they can’t vote in the state’s April 22 Presidential primary — possibly a critical one for Democrats — unless they’re registered as Democrat or Republican.
More than 93,000 voters in Philadelphia are not affiliated with a major party. Some made that choice, others ended up that way by leaving the information off their registration cards, said Margaret Tartaglione, chair of the city’s Board of City Commissioners.
Tartaglione said she’s concerned about confusion in the primary. On Super Tuesday, Feb. 5, when 22 states voted in primaries and caucuses — including New Jersey — the Board of Elections in Philadelphia received at least 700 calls from people who showed up at their polling places and wanted to vote.
Pennsylvania, unlike New Jersey, holds a closed primary. Tartaglione said she doesn’t want people coming to vote April 22 and crying foul when told they can’t vote if they’re not registered with a party. Those voters can vote only on ballot questions in a primary.
“That’s the reason we called this meeting,” Tartaglione said, “So there’s no confusion.”
In New Jersey, unaffiliated voters can choose a party to vote for in a primary.
Pennsylvania voters unaffiliated with a party can change their registration by March 24, and even switch back immediately after the election.
Voter registration forms can be found at the post office, libraries, state liquor stores, or the Board of Elections office at Spring Garden Street and Delaware Avenue.
More information is available at www.phillyelection.com or (215) 686-1500, or (215) 686-1509. Voters wanted to check on their party affiliation can check at the numbers above.
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