You only have to choose a party when voting in the primaries. You have to tell them whether to give you a Democrat or Republican ballot. In November, for the presidential, senator, etc. election we can vote either way or vote some Democrat and some Republican offices or for another party. The ballot shows everyone that is running. Yes, our actual votes are secret.May I ask - why on earth do you have to identify your political leanings in order to vote in the USA? Do you have have secret ballots?