Californians can choose from several political parties when they register to vote.  Each political party has their own beliefs on how the government should be run. Selecting a specific political party allows you to vote for that party’s candidate in presidential primary elections.  Those who choose not to join a political party, can register as a “no party preference” voter.  These voters may have limited choices for party candidates in presidential primary elections.  

You are encouraged to research these parties further and make an informed choice when selecting the party that best represents your values. Political parties utilize marketing techniques to communicate their message and attract voters. While researching party candidates, you might be offered free accessories or clothing:

Registered Political Parties in California

Now that we know what a political party is, it’s time to examine the political parties registered here in California:

The American Independent Party is a far right political party in the United States established in 1967.  Members of the party believe in strict adherence to written law, including the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence.  They believe in traditional family values, right to life, legal immigration, and the right to defend themselves under the Second Amendment.  

The Democratic Party is one of the two major parties in American politics.  It was founded on old Jeffersonian principles when the Democratic-Republican Party split in 1828.  Democrats support American liberalism and progressivism.  The Democratic Party upholds civil rights for minorities and the LGBTQ community, supports improving higher education, protecting the environment through conservation and renewable energy, and fair and free trade.  They believe in equal opportunity for all, women’s right to choose, immigration rights, and gun control.

The Green Party, founded in 1984, has evolved over the last several decades.  Members of this party believe in living wage jobs, healthcare for all, tuition-free education, women’s equality, and a fair immigration policy.  The party believes that clean water should be a fundamental human right and does not believe in privatization, export, or selling water for profit.  They support the “Green New Deal,” which is a four-part program towards a sustainable future.  The Green Party supports one secular, democratic state for Palestinians and Israelis with Jerusalem as its capital.  They also believe that Puerto Rico should be independent.

The Libertarian Party formed in 1961 due to concerns about the Nixon administration, the Vietnam War, the draft, and the introduction of “fiat” money (money without use value).  The party promotes civil liberties and strongly opposes any government interference into their personal, family, and business decisions.  They believe that Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as long as they do no harm to another.  Eliminating taxes and reducing the role of the government are other values of Libertarians.

The Peace and Freedom Party was born out of the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s.  The party is committed to socialism, democracy, ecology, feminism, racial equality, and internationalism.  Members are pro-union and believe in a 30-hour work week.  They believe in providing affordable housing for all, free daycare for all children, restoring and strengthening bilingual education, and eliminating weapons of mass destruction.

The Republican Party, also known as the Grand Old Party (GOP), is one of two major political parties in the United States.  Anti-slavery and pro-business advocates founded the Republican Party in 1854.  The Republican platform is based on conservative principles that support free market capitalism, free enterprise, business, strong national defense, deregulation of corporations, states’ rights and oppose labor unions.  Conservatives among the Republican Party oppose same-sex marriage and LGBTQ rights, abortion, marijuana, gun control, affirmative action, and illegal immigration.