In a primary election the members of each party nominate candidates for the general election. In a general election all voters elect officials from the party nominees and independent candidates. If you are a new voter, you may vote the primary ballot of any political party. You are declaring yourself a member of the party whose ballot you request, and may not vote in the primary of another party unless you change your affiliation and sign a statement to that effect. If you are qualified to vote on issues at a primary election, you may vote on such issues without voting for the candidates of a political party.
Issues are on a separate non-partisan ballot.