In California: Get ready to matter in the presidential primary

Arlene Martinez, USA TODAY

Find out how to see more than a million snow geese as they feast in NorCal's plentiful rice fields. And our Palm Springs-based political reporter breaks down all you need to know ahead of the Golden State's March 3 primary.

It's Wednesday's news.

But first, a California mom creates a 3-D, AR app to get your littles using the loo. "Let's get this potty started" (VIDEO).

I'm Arlene Martínez and I write In California, a daily roundup of news from across USA TODAY Network newsrooms and beyond. Signing up is fast, fun and free.

Can no-party people vote in the presidential primary?

Vote button on star background
Vote button on star background

Yes, the state's 5.4 million voters who registered "No Party Preference" can cast a ballot in the presidential primary for the Democratic Party, the America Independent Party and the Libertarian Party. Where they won't be able to weigh in are the Republican Party, the Green Party and the Peace & Freedom Party. That's because each party sets its own rules and decides whether to hold an "open" or "closed" primary (can you imagine if the Libertarians closed theirs? Anyway).

If you're registered with a political party — a Republican or Democrat, for example — candidates for president will automatically appear on your ballot. But if you're not one of those voters, you have to request what's called a crossover ballot to vote in a party primary. Now you're wondering what a crossover ballot even is. Political reporter Sam Metz not only answers that but these questions as well:

  • Am I registered to vote?

  • Who is on the ballot?

  • Who can vote in the presidential primary elections?

  • What's the big deal about crossover ballots and how do I request one?

  • I'm super busy. What if I forget to request one?

  • What's the difference between "No Party Preference" and Independent?

  • What's a provisional ballot? What's a conditional ballot? Are there other words to know?

  • I hear voters under 18 can register? What's the deal with that?

March 3 is an exciting day when democracy goes into action. Between now and then, I and the other 100 or so reporters with the USA TODAY Network are here to answer any of your questions. As important as the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. are those people who represent you locally.

A deadly flu season, the L.A. fuel dump and safe greens

SOURCE AP
SOURCE AP

The flu's contributed to the deaths of 70 Californians this season; five of them were children.

The pilots who dumped fuel atop small children in Los Angeles yesterday before making an emergency landing didn't have FAA clearance, but everyone survived so...

In time to nail your New Year's resolution, the E. coli threat has passed and Salinas-grown lettuce is safe to eat again, the CDC said.

See a million snow geese where the rice grows

Arctic-dwelling snow geese migrate as far as 6,000 miles to the Sacramento Valley every winter to feed.
Arctic-dwelling snow geese migrate as far as 6,000 miles to the Sacramento Valley every winter to feed.

With their wide, majestic wingspan, white bodies and black wingtips, snow geese make for a captivating show. And every year, a million of them travel upwards of 6,000 miles before arriving at California's wetlands for the winter.

It's a migration dating back millennia. Their arrival sends bird enthusiasts and conservationists flocking to the Sacramento Valley to catch the boisterous spectacle. And for the past 20 years, there's been Chico's Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway celebrating the birds' landing.

With festivities only days away, learn more about snow geese and how to get the best kind of show, the kind you can only see in nature.

What else we're talking about

A truck loaded with cardboard for recycling in San Francisco.
A truck loaded with cardboard for recycling in San Francisco.

Santa Ana is suing Orange County and the cities of Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano on claims they shuttle homeless people to its shelter and fail to offer services and housing of their own.

California's Tom Steyer, diversity and other losers in Tuesday's Democratic presidential debate.

Recycling has plummeted since China stopped taking our things, but San Francisco's managing to keep 80% of its trash out of landfills. It isn't perfect — critics say the no-bid contract drives up the price — but supporters see it as an example of badly needed domestic recycling investment.

A former police officer faces charges for allegedly possessing 121 guns (two were assault weapons), military-grade flares, riot-control smoke grenades and an explosive lotion bottle. The Monterey resident is related to Leon Panetta, who headed the CIA.

Mountain lions like to go it alone. I feel them, I feel them. So it's rare to see five of them together, like this pack in Sacramento (VIDEO).

Life is a highway on Route 66

It's hump day, which means you may be dreaming of a getaway with the weekend so very far, yet so very near. Consider the California Route 66 Museum. It's got old road signage, gas pumps, a ’50s diner booth, a psychedelically painted ’60s-era VW van and the original Route 66 kiosk, which once sat on the Santa Monica Pier.

And while you're there, don't forget to explore downtown Victorville! Or, drive just three more hours to Vegas.

I'll leave you now, dear reader, with a listening recommendation:

The Bay's newscast from Wednesday, The Anonymous Companies That Buy Up Homes. What role are shell companies playing in California's housing crisis? And what can cities do to require companies to acquire property out in the open? Worth the 11-minute listen.

In California is a roundup of news from across the USA TODAY Network newsrooms. Also contributing: New York Times, Orange County Register, Reveal, KQED, CBS.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: In California: Get ready to matter in the presidential primary