Warning: This is the week to ensure you can vote in your chosen 2016 primary

Robocalls and Internet messages have been flowing from Bernie Sanders supporters in New York, advising those interested that they must register as Democrats by Friday if they wish to vote in the party's New York primary in April.

Same deadline goes, of course, for those who would like to vote in the GOP primary on April 19. Whatever your affiliation or non-affiliation by the end of this week, that's where you stand on primary day.

Only newly registering voters can come into the fray later, officials said.

Despite futile appeals from primary rivals of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic debates do not start until next Tuesday. That does not allow for New Yorkers who wish to change parties time to decide on the basis of what they may hear.

Party switches by voters do not become effective until after Election Day, Nov. 3. Any switches after this week wouldn't become valid until the 2017 election cycle.

As of earlier this year, New York State had 5,792,674 registered Democrats,  2,722,103 enrolled Republicans, and a substantial 2,448,701 registered voters unaffiliated with any party.

There are also 156,558 Conservatives,  25,590 Greens,  48,203 Working Families Party members, 475,276 Independence Party members (many of whom seem to think they are unaffiliated), 12 enrollees in the Women's Equality Party, 10 Reform Party members,  and 5,587 "other."

A total 11,674,714 New Yorkers were registered to vote.