Quick question about voting in the primary

[littlebit]

I know NC is a closed primary. I am registered as unaffiliated. Do I have to be a registered democrat to vote in the democratic primary?

[struggle4progress]

1. Here's the Democratic Party webpage on that question:

http://www.ncdp.org/2008+Democratic+Primary+North+Carolina

I think this is the actual state law (at least as of 2006: the NCGA won't have the 2007 updates to NCGS on its website until mid-March -- and further disavows any responsibility for errors in its postings)

§ 163 59. Right to participate or vote in party primary.
No person shall be entitled to vote or otherwise participate in the primary election of any political party unless he
(1) Is a registered voter, and
(2) Has declared and has had recorded on the registration book or record the fact that he affiliates with the political party in whose primary he proposes to vote or participate, and
(3) Is in good faith a member of that party.
Notwithstanding the previous paragraph, any unaffiliated voter who is authorized under G.S. 163 116 may also vote in the primary if the voter is otherwise eligible to vote in that primary except for subdivisions (2) and (3) of the previous paragraph.
Any person who will become qualified by age or residence to register and vote in the general election or regular municipal election for which the primary is held, even though not so qualified by the date of the primary, shall be entitled to register for the primary and general or regular municipal election prior to the primary and then to vote in the primary after being registered. Such person may register not earlier than 60 days nor later than the last day for making application to register under G.S. 163 82.6(c) prior to the primary. In addition, persons who will become qualified by age to register and vote in the general election or regular municipal election for which the primary is held, who do not register during the special period may register to vote after such period as if they were qualified on the basis of age, but until they are qualified by age to vote, they may vote only in primary elections. (1915, c. 101, s. 5; 1917, c. 218; C.S., s. 6027; 1959, c. 1203, s. 6; 1967, c. 775, s. 1; 1971, c. 1166, s. 4; 1973, c. 793, s. 20; 1981, c. 33, s. 1; 1983, c. 324, s. 3; 1987, c. 408, s. 4; c. 457, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1032, s. 5; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 762, s. 23.)

http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/Statutes/StatutesTOC.pl?Chapter=0163

[littlebit]

2. Thank you

My county website had conflicting information so I wasn't sure.

[Martino Navratilovo]

3. I don't think you have to

You could vote as independent or Republican, but I am not sure.

[struggle4progress]

4. Under my reading of the law, Pubs can't vote in the Dem primary here

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

5. unaffliated voters can vote in either GOP or DEM this year

The State Board of Elections advised that the political parties decide for each election
if unaffilated voters can vote in their primary.

This year, both parties are allowing unaffiliated voters to vote in their primaries.

About 20% of NC's registered voters are unaffiliated.

[littlebit]

6. Thank you

for the response. I appreciate it.

[GreenInNC]

7. Repubs have allowed it for years

The Repubs have allowed unaffiliated voters to vote in their primaries for years. The Dems only started allowing it in the mid 90's.