As the Primary Election approaches voters with no designated party affiliation continue to outnumber voters in recognized political parties.
Since March 2014, the number of independent voters has risen by 18,201. In comparison the number of registered Democrats and Republicans fell by 16,036 and 7,447; respectively. Meanwhile, the Libertarian and Americans Elect parties grew slightly.
Arizona has four recognized political parties: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian and Americans Elect. Registrants who decline to indicate a party preference or register with parties without recognized status are classified as “Other” by election officials but are widely referred to as “independents.”
In Maricopa and Pima counties early voters have cast 172,308 ballots in the Republican primary. Independent turnout is high, while republican turnout is very low, with thousands of republican voters opting out as a result of the poisonous environment created by Governor Jan Brewer and her political enemies who have launched bizarre attacks against republican incumbents in an effort to “tidy the tent.”
Statewide, overall voter registration decreased by 0.15%. This is attributed to the maintenance of the voter rolls by the counties, according to the Secretary of State’s website, www.azsos.gov or by calling 1-877-THE-VOTE.