depends on the state. in many states you can’t be independent and vote in any other parties’ primary other than independent. I know I used to be one and always missed out in voting in the Republican primary. This is one reason I switched over. I am a conservative and wanted to insure my vote in the Republican arena.
In Oregon, there is an Independent party, and we have closed primaries. So, I am currently considered unaffiliated.
I need to register with a party to vote in the primary, or I won’t be able to vote. Our primary isn’t until May.
In 2008, for the very first time in my life, I registered as a ‘rat so that I could vote for Hillary!, and against Obama.
I met an elderly couple from North Carolina who were staunch Jesse Helmes-Republicans, but they were registered as Democrats their entire lives so they could vote in the Dem primary.
And here in Virginia, primaries are open! It’s operation chaos all the time.
Not that I’m entirely cynical. I’m sure most do vote party affiliation.