Nearly seven in 10 registered Andover voters are unenrolled, meaning they are not registered with a political party.

Unenrolled voters account for 69% of the town’s electorate, up from 59.4% a decade ago, according to Secretary of the Commonwealth data reported by Andover News.

The September primary registration figures list 26,920 voters in Andover: 18,581 unenrolled, 5,642 Democrats, 2,546 Republicans and 151 registered with other political designations.

Democrats represent about 21% of registered voters, while Republicans account for 9.5%.

Party enrollment declines

Republicans’ share of Andover registrations has fallen six percentage points since 2016, when they represented 15.5% of the electorate. Democrats’ share declined from 24.5% to 21% over the same period, Andover News reported.

Statewide, Democratic enrollment has fallen more sharply. The report puts Democrats at 24%, down from 34.6% in 2016, and Republicans at 8%, down from 10.8%. Unenrolled registration rose from 53.6% to 67%.

Those figures describe registration status, not how residents vote or whether they lean toward a party.

Under current Massachusetts rules, unenrolled voters can choose either party’s ballot in a primary without changing their registration. All voters receive the same ballot in a general election, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Voters weigh election changes

Two Nov. 3 ballot questions would change election procedures beginning in 2028.

Question 3 would replace separate party primaries with one all-party primary. The top two candidates would advance to the general election regardless of affiliation, potentially producing a November contest between candidates from the same party.

Question 4 would allow Election Day voter registration. Approval would not change the registration deadline for this year’s election.

The state’s official voter guide explains both proposals.

Registration deadline is Oct. 24

Residents must register by Saturday, Oct. 24, to vote in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 state election.

Voters can register or update their information at RegisterToVoteMA.com. Andover’s Town Clerk’s Office is at 36 Bartlet St. and can be reached at (978) 623-8230.

Residents should check the town’s elections page for registration notices, early voting information and polling details.