Question

Voters take an early, formal step in party identification when they

Answer 1

register to vote and opt to do so as a member of a specific political party. They do not have to declare a party affiliation when they register, but if they do they are making their perspective clear to all.

Answer 2

Voters need to identify themselves when they state party affiliation when registering to vote. When a voter has registered to a party prior to the elections, he or she should state their party affiliation at the moment of voting.  However, this is not necessary for voters that decline to state a political party prior to the elections.