How to Join The Republican Party

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

The Republican Party, or the Grand Old Party (GOP), is one of the two major political parties in the United States. Famous past Republican presidents include: Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Abraham Lincoln, and Calvin Coolidge. The party was founded to oppose slavery and has attracted people who want to live with minimal government intervention. [1] If becoming a Republican sounds right for you, join your state’s GOP and register as a Republican.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Becoming a Member

PDF download Download Article
  1. Every state has its own website. Search for “your state” and “GOP” in your favorite search engine. There should be a sign-up form on the homepage.
    • You can also join the national GOP: https://www.gop.com/ . However, your state’s party will share your information with the national umbrella organization—and vice versa. You only need to join one or the other.
  2. The party might ask for only an email address, or they might also request your name and home address. You can provide this information online. [2]
    • By joining the state party, all you’re really doing is giving your contact information so that they can hit you up for donations in the future. If you want to make a real difference in GOP politics, you should consider other ways to participate.
    Advertisement
  3. You don’t pay annual fees to be a Republican. However, you can make a donation at either the state or national websites. Use your credit card.
    • Donations are strictly voluntary and not required to join.
  4. The primary purpose of joining your state party is to receive periodic updates about pending legislation at the state and national level. You might be invited to contact your elected representatives and ask them to vote a certain way.
    • Joining the party this way doesn’t register you to vote as a Republican. Instead, you need to do that yourself.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Registering as a Republican Voter

PDF download Download Article
  1. There are no special requirements to register as a Republican voter. However, there are general requirements that apply to all voters, such as the following:
    • You must be a U.S. citizen. Green card holders cannot register to vote.
    • You must be old enough. Generally, the minimum age is eighteen, but some states let you register at seventeen.
    • You must also be a resident of the state where you are registering.
    • You must not have lost your voting rights. For example, many states strip felons of their right to vote. You can read a summary of state laws at https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/felon-voting-rights.aspx .
  2. Find the office by searching for “your state” and "voter registration." Some states have made it easier to register to vote online, but others require that you download or request a registration form. You can find links to your state office at https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state/ .
  3. Provide all requested information and double check that you have provided everything. You may need to send in supporting documentation along with your form. For example, you might need documents that show your current address, such as a copy of your state-issued ID, utility bill, or bank statement.
  4. The form should give you several choices for selecting a party. You can check the Republican box to register as a Republican. However, many states don’t give you the option to declare party affiliation when you register.
    • As a registered Republican, you can vote in the party’s primary, where you will select the Republican candidate to stand for the general election. In some states, primaries are open, meaning anyone can vote in them.
  5. Send it to the address on the form. You might need to call to check that you have been registered. Wait a couple weeks and then call the local elections board.
  6. When it comes time to vote, you may need to present identification at the polling place. Each state sets its own requirements, so you should learn about them ahead of time.
    • For example, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Tennessee require that you show a photo ID. If you don’t have acceptable ID, you can cast a provisional ballot. However, you must take your ID to the election office within a couple of days for the ballot to count. [3]
    • Other states require ID, but it doesn’t need to contain your photo.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Participating in Other Ways

PDF download Download Article
  1. Your town or county should have a Republican Party committee, and you should attend their meetings. Typically, any party member can attend. Introduce yourself and learn about the important issues the committee is dealing with.
    • Plan on listening at first. Express enthusiasm for the Republican Party, but don’t come across as a know-it-all. It takes time for people to trust you.
  2. Many people don’t have strong political beliefs, so you can explain to them what it means to be a Republican. You might convince them to register as a Republican and maybe come aboard as a volunteer.
    • Don’t spend all of your time trying to convert a Democrat. Instead, reach out to friends and family who express interest in your political activism.
    • Let the local GOP committee know that you’ve recruited volunteers. This is a good way to build your reputation as a potential GOP leader of the future.
  3. During election season, the GOP needs volunteers to make calls, hand out information, and attend rallies. Stop into your town or county headquarters and volunteer. The work might be boring at first—stuffing envelopes and answering questions over the phone. However, it’s a great way to meet people and help out.
    • Volunteering also shows you are dedicated to the party. You will impress GOP bigwigs, who will remember you in the future.
    • You can volunteer for the county headquarters or for individual GOP candidates. Try both!
  4. The GOP always needs money to support candidates running in national, state, or local elections. You can make contributions yourself but also fundraise. Money talks, and you'll gain considerable prestige in the organization if you prove to be a good fundraiser.
    • Dip your toes into fundraising when you volunteer for your local committee. This might only involve making phone calls and speaking to local Republicans. At the end of the call, you hit them up for money.
    • Suggest more creative fundraising methods. For example, you can have a sponsored walk to raise funds. Each volunteer solicits pledges from people they know, e.g., fifty cents for each mile walked.
    • Consider holding a fundraiser meal. The candidate will attend, and you can charge people for tickets to attend. To maximize attendance, price reasonably and ask attendees to contribute on the side if they can. [4]
  5. Republican delegates attend national, state, and local party conventions as representatives for the electorate. If you’re interested, contact your local precinct’s chairperson for more information.
    • You probably won’t be picked as a delegate right off the bat. However, you can establish yourself first through volunteer and fundraising efforts, which will raise your profile.
  6. At some point, you might throw your hat in the ring as a Republican candidate for office. There are dozens of positions you can run for. Ideally, you’ll start small, such as running for your local committee. Then you can run for local offices, such as the school board, town council, or judge of elections.
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can a person support the Republican party if they used to support the Democratic party?
    Community Answer
    Yes, this is America. Land of the free, home of the brave. You can support whatever party you choose.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 74
  • Question
    Is there a required membership fee, or is it just voluntary donation?
    Community Answer
    There is no fee for party affiliation when you register to vote and no party can bar you from affiliating with a party. Affiliation, in states with closed elections, basically tells the poll worker at your precinct which party ballot to give you in the primaries. However, to be a full member of a party, there is a fee which includes party benefits such as attending state and national conventions or serving as a party delegate at conventions.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 36
  • Question
    Can a low income blue collar worker join the Republican Party?
    Community Answer
    Yes, of course, you can join the Republican Party no matter what your job or income is.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 44
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • You can be a Republican and still disagree with the party on specific issues. For example, the Republican Party platform calls for outlawing abortion, but many self-identified Republicans support abortion rights.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      What's the Difference between a Governor and a Senator?
      How to
      Analyze Political Cartoons
      How to
      Tell if a Person Is Republican or Democrat
      How to
      Be a Communist
      How to
      Write a Letter to Your United States Senator
      How to
      Explain Democrat vs Republican to a Child
      How to
      Be an Anarchist
      How to
      Get Involved in Local Politics
      How to
      Write a Campaign Speech
      How to
      Tell Whether You're Right Wing or Left Wing
      How to
      Avoid Politics With Stubborn Relatives
      How to
      Understand Politics
      How to
      Win a Local Election
      How to
      Deal With Friends With Different Political Views
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/republican-party-founded
      2. ↑ https://www.mainegop.com/
      3. ↑ https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id.aspx
      4. ↑ https://www.fundraiserhelp.com/political-fundraising-event-tips.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Joining the Republican party as a member only takes a few minutes online. All you need to do is go to your state's GOP website, click on the sign-up form, and enter your personal information. There is no fee to join, but you can make a donation by credit card if you'd like. Once you’re signed up, you’ll receive updates about pending legislation on both a state and federal level. To register as a Republican voter, you need to be at least 18-years-old and a U.S. citizen. Visit your state’s secretary of state website to register online if you're able or print off a mail-in form to register. For more tips, including how to become a local delegate for the Republican Party, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 209,571 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Konrad Szalapski

        Nov 12, 2016

        "Excellent article, helped me a lot. I know now how to become a full member of Republican Party."
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement