By enrolling in a political party you can help nominate candidates by signing petitions and voting in primary elections , however, you are not obligated to vote for your party's candidate in the General Election, you may vote for any candidate from any party. It can also serve to elect various party officials, however, if there are no contests, there is no primary.
Most candidates get on the ballot by filing a petition containing a specified number of signatures.
The required amount varies, depending on the office sought and whether the candidate is seeking a party nomination or a spot on the ballot as an independent. Other persons seeking public office, but not the endorsement of a specific party, circulate independent nominating petitions. The requirements for all petitions are contained in Article 6 of the Election Law. Any registered voter qualified to vote for an office may sign an independent nominating petition for that office. Only enrolled members of a party may sign designating petitions for the party.