Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits voters from switching parties during a primary election period.

Highlights:

• Establishes a signed form designating or changing a voter's political party affiliation takes effect when the county clerk receives the signed form (Sec. 1-1.c).

• Specifies a form received by the county clerk after March 31 takes effect on the day after that year's regular primary election if the form changes a registered voter's affiliation with one political party to affiliate with another political party (Sec. 1-1.d).

• Establishes any part of a form described in Subsection (2)(d), other than the voter's designation or change of political party affiliation, takes effect when the county clerk receives the signed form (Sec. 1-1.e).

• Specifies a signed form is received by the county clerk on or before March 31 if (Sec. 1-1.f):

• The individual submits the form in person at the county clerk's office no later than 5 p.m. on the last business day before April 1;

• The individual submits the form electronically at or before 11:59 p.m. on March 31; or

• The individual's form is clearly postmarked on or before March 31.

• Specifies subsection (2)(d) does not apply to the party affiliation designated by a voter on the voter registration form if the voter has not previously been registered to vote in the state (Sec. 1-1.g).

• Establishes the following for any regular primary election or presidential primary election (Sec. 2-1):

• Each county clerk will provide change of party affiliation forms to the poll workers for each voting precinct within the county;

• A registered voter who is classified as "unaffiliated" may affiliate with a political party by completing the form and giving it to the poll worker; and

• For an unaffiliated voter who was affiliated with a political party at any time between April 1 and the date of the regular primary election, a form takes effect on the day after the regular primary election.

• Authorizes an unaffiliated voter who affiliates with a political party to vote in that party's primary election (Sec. 2-2).

Full Bill Text