Alabama is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

In a primary election if a candidate does not with the majority of the votes (50%+1) there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two candidates with the most votes to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Alaska has a “top four” primary system. All candidates appear on the same ballot and all voters get the same ballot. Voters choose one candidate from each race. The top four candidates from each race will move on to the General Election.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

In Arizona, if you are registered with a particular party, you may only vote in that party's primary. If you are unaffiliated with any political party, you may request a ballot to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary.  

Note: The provision for an open primary does not apply to the Presidential Preference Election. Only voters of a participating party may vote on that party's ballot. Independent (unaffiliated) voters may change their voter registration to a designated party by the registration deadline. After the election, voters may change their registration back to unaffiliated.

For more information about how to participate in the partisan primaries as an unaffiliated (also known as Independent or No-party) voter, please follow the link below:

https://www.azcleanelections.gov/how-to-vote/no-party.

https://azsos.gov/votebymail

Arkansas is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

In a primary election if a candidate does not with the majority of the votes (50%+1) there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two candidates with the most votes to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

California is a “top two” primary state. In these primary elections, all candidates for state offices are listed on the same ballot and all candidates are listed with their party affiliation. The top two candidates who get the most votes in each race move on to the General Election regardless of their party. The top two primaries are used for the following offices: United States Senators, congressional Representatives, State Senators, Assemblymembers, Governor,  Lt. Governor,  State Treasurer, Secretary of State, and State Attorney General. They are not used for President, Vice President, or  Political Party County Central Committees or County Councils.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Colorado has a hybrid primary system. If you are registered to with a particular party, you must vote in that parties primary. However, if you are unaffiliated with any political party, you can choose which party’s primary you wish to vote in.

Unaffiliated voters will receive both parties ballots in the mail but must return just one party’s ballot. Or, if voting in person, unaffiliated voters must choose which party’s ballot they want to vote at the polls.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Connecticut is a “partially closed” primary state. Each party has the ability to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters or voters not registered with their party to participate in their primary, however, currently unaffiliated voters are NOT allowed to participate in the primary elections. This decision is made before the election cycle begins.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Delaware is a “closed primary” state. In order to vote in the primary election, voters must be registered with a political party. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not able to participate in the primary.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

DC has a closed primary process, where voters need to be registered with a party in order to vote in that parties primary. If you are not registered with a party, you may still vote on any ballot measures if they appear on the primary ballots.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Florida is a “closed primary” state. In order to vote in the primary election, voters must be registered with a political party. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not able to participate in the primary.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Georgia is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

In a primary election if a candidate does not with the majority of the votes (50%+1) there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two vote getters to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Hawaii is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Idaho is a “partially closed” primary state. Each party has the ability to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters or voters not registered with their party to participate in their primary. This decision is made 6 months before the primary election date each year. Unless the party chooses to allow voters not registered with their party to participate in the primary election, only voters registered with the party may vote in their primary.

When there are elections on nonpartisan issues or races scheduled on the same day as a party primary election, all registered voters can vote on the nonpartisan races.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Illinois is a “partially open” primary state. This allows voters to cross party lines, however, they must first publicly declare their ballot choice. Ballot selection may also be regarded as a form of registration with the selected party. 

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Indiana is a “partially open” primary state. This allows voters to cross party lines, however, they must first publicly declare their ballot choice. Ballot selection may also be regarded as a form of registration with the selected party. 

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Iowa is a “partially open” primary state. This allows voters to vote in another parties primary. You are asked to choose your party when you register to vote, however, you are able to publicly change your party affiliation in order to vote in your selected parties primary election.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Kansas has a hybrid primary system. If you are registered to with a particular party, you must vote in that parties primary. However, if you are unaffiliated with any political party, you can choose which party’s primary you wish to vote in.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Kentucky is a “closed primary” state. In order to vote in the primary election, voters must be registered with a political party. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not able to participate in the primary except when there are more than two candidates for a nonpartisan office such as judge.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Louisiana runs a unique primary system that is more like a general election with a runoff scheduled if needed. On the general election date, all candidates run on the same ticket. If no candidate receives the majority of votes (over 50%) then a runoff election is scheduled for 6 weeks later.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Starting in 2024, Maine is implementing Semi-Open Primaries. If you are registered with a particular political party, you can only vote in that party's primary. If you are not registered with any political party, you can choose to vote in any ONE party's primary of your preference. This rule applies to both Presidential and State Primaries.

Note: If you wish to change your political party affiliation, you must do so at least 15 days before the election. 

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)

Maine uses a ranked choice voting system for Presidential Primaries, State Primaries and General Elections. To find out more about ranked choice voting click here.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

The Democratic and Republican Parties are required to use primary elections to choose their candidates for the general election. The rules for who can vote in a primary vary by state.

Maryland has “closed primary” elections. This means that voters must generally be registered with either the Democratic or Republican Party in order to vote. However, all voters may vote in nonpartisan primary elections, such as those for school boards. For more information on closed primary elections, see the Maryland State Board of Elections website.

Massachusetts has an open primary system. You can only vote using that party's primary ballot if registered with a specific party. If you are not enrolled in any political party, you can choose which party's primary ballot to cast. 

If you are unenrolled in a party and apply for a mail ballot for the primary election, you must specify which party ballot you want.   

Michigan is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Minnesota is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Mississippi is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

In a primary election if a candidate does not with the majority of the votes (50%+1) there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two candidates with the most votes to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Missouri had a state-run open presidential primary from 2000 to 2022. However, since the new law passed in 2022, political parties now control the process. In 2024, the Missouri GOP will hold a caucus on March 2nd and the Missouri Democrats will have a primary on March 23rd.

For more information, contact the Missouri GOP at 573-606-0402 or the Missouri Democratic Party at 573-777-1364.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Montana is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Nebraska has candidates run on a nonpartisan ticket. Candidates run without a party designation and all candidates are on the same nonpartisan primary ballot.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Nevada is a “closed primary” state. In order to vote in the primary election, voters must be registered with a political party. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not able to participate in the primary.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

New Hampshire has a hybrid primary system. If you are registered with a particular party, you must vote in that party's primary. However, if you are unaffiliated with any political party, you can declare affiliation with a party at the polls in order to vote in that party’s primary.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

New Jersey has a hybrid primary system. If you are registered to with a particular party, you must vote in that parties primary. However, if you are unaffiliated with any political party, you can choose which party’s primary you wish to vote in.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

New Mexico is a “closed primary” state. In order to vote in the primary election, voters must be registered with a political party. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not able to participate in the primary.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

New York is a “closed primary” state. In order to vote in the primary election, voters must be registered with a political party. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not able to participate in the primary.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

North Carolina is a “partially closed” primary state. Each party has the ability to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters or voters not registered with their party to participate in their primary. This year, unaffiliated voters may choose the ballot of any party that has a primary. This decision is made before the election cycle begins.

In a primary election if a candidate does not with 30% of the votes there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two candidates with the most votes to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

North Dakota is the only state in the United States that does not require voter registration. In the primary election, voters will see all candidates listed by political party in separate columns. They may only vote in one party's primary so they must remain within that party's column on the ballot.

All federal races and most state-wide races are designated by party and the top vote-getters in the primary move on to the general election in November to represent their party.

County-wide races are nonpartisan and voters are able to choose one candidate per open seat in the primary election. The top two vote-getters per open seat in the primary move on to the November general election.

For city-wide candidates, the primary election is the last stop. Whichever candidate wins in the primary will take their place in that elected office. City-wide races include races such as city commission or council, mayor, park board, school board, and municipal judge.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Ohio is a “partially open” primary state. This allows voters to vote in another parties primary. You are asked to choose your party when you register to vote, however, you are able to publicly change your party affiliation in order to vote in your selected parties primary election.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Oklahoma is a “partially closed” primary state. Each party has the ability to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters or voters not registered with their party to participate in their primary. This decision is made in November of each odd-numbered year. As of 2021, the Democratic party has allowed independents to vote in their primaries, but independents are not allowed to vote in Republican or Libertarian parties.

In a primary election if a candidate does not with the majority of the votes (50%+1) there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two candidates with the most votes to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Oregon is a “closed primary” state. In order to vote in the primary election, voters must be registered with a political party. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not able to participate in the primary.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Pennsylvania is a “closed primary” state. In order to vote in the primary election, voters must be registered with a political party. Unaffiliated or independent voters are not able to participate in the primary.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Rhode Island has a hybrid primary system. If you are registered to with a particular party, you must vote in that parties primary. However, if you are unaffiliated with any political party, you can choose which party’s primary you wish to vote in.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

South Carolina is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

In a primary election if a candidate does not with the majority of the votes (50%+1) there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two candidates with the most votes to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

South Dakota is a “partially closed” primary state. Each party has the ability to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters or voters not registered with their party to participate in their primary. This decision is made before the election cycle begins.

In a primary election if a candidate running for US Senate, US House, or Governor does not with the majority of the votes (50%+1) there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two candidates with the most votes to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Tennessee is a partially open primary state, allowing voters to participate in another party's primary by choosing a party when signing in with a poll worker.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Texas is an “open primary” state, which means you can choose any one party’s ballot for which you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party, and it is a private decision. 

In a primary election, if a candidate does not win with the majority of the votes (50%+1), a primary runoff election will be scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The two candidates with the most votes in that race advance to the runoff election to ensure that one receives a majority of votes before advancing to the General Election. 

If you have any questions about Texas’ primary election, please contact your local election officials. 

Utah is a “partially closed” primary state. Each party has the ability to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters or voters not registered with their party to participate in their primary. This decision is made before the election cycle begins.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Vermont is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

In a primary election if candidates tie there will be a primary runoff election scheduled for a few weeks after the primary election date. The runoff election will have the top two candidates with the most votes to ensure that one of them receives the majority of the voters.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Virginia is an “open primary” state. This means you can choose the political party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party, and it is a private decision. If you have any questions about Virginia’s primary election process, please contact your local election officials.

Washington has a “top two” primary process. Each candidate is allowed to list a party “preference” on the ballot and all candidates are listed on the same ballot. The two candidates who receive the most votes move on to the General Election, regardless of their party.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

West Virginia has a hybrid primary system. If you are registered to with a particular party, you must vote in that parties primary. However, if you are unaffiliated with any political party, you can choose which party’s primary you wish to vote in.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Wisconsin is an “open primary” state. You can choose the party’s ballot you wish to vote. This decision does not register you with that party and it is a private decision.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

Wyoming is a “partially open” primary state. This allows voters to vote in another parties primary. You are asked to choose your party when you register to vote, however, you are able to publicly change your party affiliation in order to vote in your selected parties primary election.

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.