Editor’s note: The last day a registered voter could change their party affiliation before the 2024 presidential primary was Oct. 6, 2023. An undeclared voter may vote in a state primary or a presidential primary. They will be required to choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot when they go to vote.

The following conversation took place between Pi, my AI guru, and me. Q: The polls have Trump in the lead for the NH primary. Were these polls only among Republican voters or the general population? A: The polls that showed Trump in the lead for the NH primary were primarily among registered Republican voters. However, one of the polls did also include “undeclared” or independent voters who said they planned to vote in the Republican primary. Interestingly, that poll found that while Trump was leading among registered Republicans, Nikki Haley was actually leading among independents who planned to vote in the primary. So, while the polls were primarily focused on Republican voters, they did shed some light on the preferences of independent voters who plan to participate in the primary as well.

That got me thinking. In New Hampshire, it’s easy to switch parties. If a Democrat, independent or Republican wants to vote in another party’s primary, he just has to register as a member of that party prior to the election. He can switch back afterwards if he chooses. It’s plausible that crossover independents and Dems could determine the outcome of the NH Republican primary on Jan 23. The Democrat primary is irrelevant. Most Democrats have strong anti-Trump feelings and their vote would count for much more if they voted in the Republican primary. Democrats and independents: Use your vote in the Republican primary where it can do some good.

Arthur Albert

Campton