political parties

     When you register to vote, you don't have to register as a republican or a democrat. You can register as an "unaffiliated" voter, meaning you don't belong to either party. You won't be able to vote in primary elections--the elections that are held by each party to choose the candidates who will run in  election--but you will be able to vote in all local, state and federal elections. The former designation for "unaffiliated" was "independent", which to many people had the connotation of belonging to a subversive cult, probably investigated by the FBI.  The term "unaffiliated" doesn't seem to carry any such load--it just means someone who isn't particularly interested in the platform of either major party.  Many people who don't really care about party politics register with a party anyway. By registering with a party they can vote in the party's primary, and so have more say in what happens in an election. They are able to vote to choose the candidates, and then they can vote for the candidate of their choice. Registering with a party doesn't mean you have to vote for that party's candidates in the election--you can vote for either candidate, or for a mix of candidates from both parties ( a split ticket ). Something to consider before you register. By the way, if you change your mind, you can ask to change your party affiliation.