Residents can either mail their registration, register online or stop in at the Registrar of Voters' Office, 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2 in San Jose, until 7 p.m. A drop-box for completed forms is next to the flagpole outside the office. Mailed registrations must be postmarked by today.

Voters need to re-register only when they move, change their name, or would like to change their political party affiliation. Voters can check if they are registered to vote online at www.sccvote.org or by calling toll-free (866) 430-VOTE.

Voter registration forms can be found at post offices, public libraries, fire stations, city halls and most local government offices. Registration forms are also available online and the registrar's office.

To register to vote in Santa Clara County, a voter must be at least 18 years old on Election Day, a U.S. citizen, and a Santa Clara County resident. They may not be in prison or on parole for a felony.

Voters who want to change political parties for the June election will need to complete a new voter registration form.

Under California's primary rules, voters who are registered with a qualified political party must vote on their party's ballot. Therefore, voters will only be able to select from among their own political party's candidates, in partisan offices like Assembly, Senate and Congress. California's qualified parties are American Independent, Democratic, Green, Libertarian, Peace & Freedom, and Republican.

Voters who have not registered with a qualified political party, commonly known as nonpartisan or "Decline to State" voters, have two options. One is to vote a nonpartisan ballot that contains only ballot measures and candidates for nonpartisan offices, such as County Supervisor.

The second option for nonpartisan voters is to request either an American Independent Party, Democratic Party or Republican Party ballot. These three parties have decided to allow nonpartisan voters to vote their political party ballot, in all contests except County Central Committee.

Nonpartisan voters can request either an American Independent, Democratic or Republican ballot for the current election when they go to the polls. Nonpartisan voters who vote by mail can request an either American Independent, Democratic or Republican ballot by calling the registrar's office.

Details: (866) 430-VOTE [8683] or www.sccvote.org