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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Northwest farmers look for new export market in Cuba ... Now that's a fan ... At least 31 dead in bombings of Brussels airport, metro ... Northwest farmers look for new export market in Cuba ... Now that's a fan ... At least 31 dead in bombings of Brussels airport, metro ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Independent voters invited to only one party Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News A friend told me that because he's an independent voter, he can now vote in any of the party primaries. I think he's wrong about that, unless I missed some big news somewhere along the line. So who's right? — Tom, Ashland Wait a minute, Tom, you mean there might have been some big news outside of Donald Trump? Hard to imagine. But you're right, if independent voters could vote in any party primary, that would not only be big — it would be YUUUUGE. Let us put your mind at ease, though. Your friend is wrong, independents cannot vote in the Republican or Democratic primaries. His confusion may stem from the fact that Oregon this year will actually have three "major party" primaries, with the Independent Party joining the major party ranks after having more than 5 percent of the state's registered voters in the 2014 general election. And the Independent Party will allow non-affiliated voters to participate in its primary. Note, Tom, that members of the Independent Party — with a capital I — are not the same as voters commonly referred to as "independents" — with a lower-case i. Voters who belong to no party are officially referred to as non-affiliated voters, in part so they won't be confused with upper-case Independents, who do belong to a party. But, wait, the plot thickens: The Independent Party's primary election in May is an open primary, meaning non-affiliated voters may vote for Independent candidates. The Republican and Democratic primaries remain closed, with only party members eligible to vote. There's a catch for non-affiliated voters who want to participate in the Independent Party primary: They have to let the local elections office — the Jackson County Clerk's Office in this neck of the woods — know they want to do that, so that the correct ballot can be mailed to them. The Secretary of State's Elections Division is sending out a mailer to all of the state's non-affiliated voters, with a postcard that can be sent in if they wish to vote in the Independent primary. You have to do that by April 26 to qualify. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501