On May 25, the California Assembly passed AB 292. It makes it easier for an independent voter to obtain a presidential primary ballot for parties that permit independent voters to vote in that party’s presidential primary. The sample ballot that is mailed to every voter will alert independent voters that particular parties permit independents to vote in that party’s presidential primary ballot. It will let the voter telephone, e-mail, or text the county elections office, letting the office know that the independent voter wants to receive a particular presidential primary ballot in the mail.

In California, every voter receives a mail ballot automatically, but under existing law, independents only get a non-partisan ballot unless they act. The bill makes it easier for the independent voter to get the desired ballot.

The original version of AB 292 provided for a write-in space for president, to be printed on every non-partisan ballot, but that has been deleted from the bill.