How to Change Political Parties

Did you know it is very simple to change political parties, at least in Nevada? A reason for doing so might be to have an influence in the primary election of the party you normally don’t belong to. For example, the primary election for your own party may not be competitive but that of the other party is. A reason for doing this might be to improve the chances in the primary of someone you feel is more easily beaten in the general election or supporting the lesser of multiple evils.

We will use Nevada as an example of how to do it. First go to the web site for the Secretary of State for the party in which you reside.

I imagine one of the main purposes of the web site is to register to vote, so it shouldn’t be hard to find the right place. In this case, click on “Elections.” Then the very first choice in the next menu is “Register to Vote.” Click on that, even if you’re already registered. That will bring up a host of choices, as shown below.

Under “Changes to Current Registration,” follow the link it gives to RegisterToVote.NV.gov. From that page, select “Update My Existing Voter Registration.”

From there you will have to agree to some screens that you are acting on your own behalf, that you’re a citizen of the US, you’re residing in the county you’re registering in, and have a valid driver’s license or identification card. After clicking those boxes you’ll get to the screen to verify your identity, shown below.

I found the system immediately recognized me. It warned me I was already registered and showed me my current information and let me change anything about it. After going through all the screens and providing an Email address, click “submit.”

I was informed by Email about an hour later that the change of party was effective.

The process is probably equally simple in other states. People move all the time, so I imagine making it easy and fast to change voter registration is a high priority of the Secretary of State of any state.

Some people may question the ethics of crashing the other party’s primary. I absolutely respect that opinion. I leave the decisions to bounce between parties back and forth to have a greater voice as a voter to my readers. Either way, don’t forget to vote!