AZ. Party registration needed to vote in GOP race

Deadline is Monday to become Republican, allowing primary voice

Party registration needed to vote in GOP race

Arizona Daily Star Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Thursday, January 26, 2012 12:00 am

If you're a Libertarian impressed by Ron Paul, or a "blue dog" Democrat attracted to Newt Gingrich, you'll have to register as a Republican by Monday to participate in Arizona's presidential preference election.

Currently, about 1.2 million of the state's 3.1 million voters can participate in the Feb. 28 election.

Unlike the September primary election, where voters who don't register with a party can choose a primary ballot from one of the established parties, the presidential primary is for party members only.

The Democratic and Libertarian parties are not hosting primary votes.

There are six candidates on the Green Party ballot.

There are 23 candidates on the Republican ballot. That includes Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who has withdrawn from the race, and the four top-tier candidates who are currently scheduled to debate in Mesa on Feb. 22 - Paul, Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

In urging voters to register or reregister as Republicans, GOP spokesman Shane Wikfors said Arizona will play a key role in "setting the stage for Super Tuesday."

Arizona's winner-takes-all Republican primary, along with Michigan's, comes a week before 10 states hold those "Super Tuesday" primaries on March 6.

Between now and then, Republicans will hold primaries or caucuses in Florida, Nevada, Maine, Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri.

On StarNet: Read more election news atazstarnet.com/election

Party registration needed to vote in GOP race