Demi Moore, Kaley Cuoco and Emma Stone are among a group of California residents who accidentally joined the US' answer to Reclaim Australia while trying to register to vote in the upcoming Democratic primaries.
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According to the Los Angeles Times, potentially thousands of people who wanted to register to vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primaries as independents have accidentally joined the American Independent Party, whose policy platform includes opposition to same-sex marriage and support for closing the US border with Mexico and instituting tougher penalties for illegal immigrants.
A poll of 500 AIP registered voters conducted by the Times found that 73 per cent of the party's registered voters thought they had registered as an independent voter for the elections, and not as a member of the AIP.
Those who intended to vote as an independent in the Democratic or Republican parties will be left disappointed unless they change their affiliation before registration closes on May 23, as members of the AIP are not eligible to cast their vote in the race between Clinton and Sanders, or Cruz and Trump.
By searching the electoral roll, the Times managed to uncover a few big names who were listed as members of the AIP, including actors Demi Moore, Kaley Cuoco and Emma Stone, as well as Patrick Schwarzenegger, the son of actor and former Californian governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"The views of this party do not accurately reflect my personal beliefs and I am not affiliated with any political party," Big Bang Theory actor Cuoco said in a statement to the Times. "As such, I am taking the necessary steps to immediately remove my name as a member of this voting party."
A representative for Moore, who filmed a "pledge video" for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign alongside her then husband Ashton Kutcher, said her registration with the party was a mistake.
"Demi Moore is not, nor has ever been, a member of the American Independent Party," the representative said. "Any record that states otherwise is a mistake."
Representatives also told the Times Schwarzenegger, 22, (whose father is a Republican) and Stone, 27, would also be changing their registration before the California primaries in June.
The American Independent Party was founded in 1967 by racial segregationist George Wallace. It only exists in California.
With more than 500,000 members in the west coast state, the far-right party has more registered members than any other minor political party. On the party's website, it self-describes as the "fastest growing political party in California".
Although, based on the Times poll, it seems possible that many of these members intended to select the "no party preference" option on the enrolment form, but were confused by the use of the term "independent" in the AIP's name.
On the other side of the country, correctly registered celebrities took to the polling booth in New York to have their say in the state's primaries.
Lena Dunham, Julianne Moore and Susan Sarandon all used social media to show support for their chosen candidates and encouraged their fans to vote.
I just voted for @HillaryClinton #ImWithHer - vote today! pic.twitter.com/FJM6JJ9CNj— Julianne Moore (@_juliannemoore) April 19, 2016
Let’s do this, NY! #NYPrimary #FeelTheBern #NotMeUs pic.twitter.com/AG4510p22t— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) April 19, 2016
Said go New York go New York go! #imwithher pic.twitter.com/rUF0K2n2cv— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) April 19, 2016
We voted! Get out and vote New York! #democracy #thecouplethatvotestogether
A photo posted by America Ferrera (@americaferrera) on Apr 19, 2016 at 10:21am PDT
