If that deadline is missed, those needing to register must do so in person at the County Clerk's Office by Jan. 29.

In order to vote for a Republican nominee, voters must be a registered Republican or unaffiliated with any other certified political party and willing to affiliate with the Republican Party.

To vote for a Democrat, voters must be a registered Democrat or unaffiliated with any other certified political party. If unaffiliated, voters will not be required to affiliate with the Democratic Party to vote the Democratic ballot.

Anyone wishing to change party affiliation must do so by re-registering to vote prior to the Jan. 29 deadline. Unaffiliated voters may affiliate at the polls on Election Day.

The rules are set by national political parties, not the clerk's offices. Political parties determine who may participate in their party primary election and if it is open to all voters or closed to persons who are not affiliated with their political parties.

A new online voter registration form is now available on the Salt Lake County Clerk's Web site at www.clerk.slco.org and may be used to register to vote, change name or address, affiliate with a party or change party affiliation. However, an original signature is legally required so the form must be printed and postmarked by Friday.

Registration forms are available online for most counties, and paper registration forms are available in most libraries and post offices.

smcfarland@sltrib.com