If you’re planning to vote the Republican ticket during the May 12 primary election, remember this: only registered Republicans can participate this year. If you’re a registered Independent and you don’t change your party affiliation prior to end of day Tuesday, April 21, then you will not be able to cast your ballot in the GOP primary.

That’s a change from past years when the Republican primary was open to Independents. Party leaders voted to close it this year.

You can check — and change, if you so choose — your party affiliation at govotewv.com.

Independents can still vote in the Democrat primary without making any change. But if you want to cast a Republican ballot, update your registration.