POLITICS
Can independent voters vote in a primary?
With the first hurdle for choosing candidates for this year’s presidential election out the way, the battle lines have been drawn.
![With the first hurdle for choosing candidates for this year’s presidential election out the way, the battle lines have been drawn.](https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/v2/XXOYV3EIZHEM6YQJOQXEQKGJOI.jpg?auth=d775acd866c4929b80ca75a39fb06fe64582d2a3fe57bdc8010fbfeb8c50aef5&width=360&height=203&smart=true)
Independent voters, also known as unaffiliated or No Party Preference (NPP) voters, can have the opportunity to participate in primary elections in “open primaries” or “partially-open primaries”, depending on their location and also which party they are supporting.
In open primaries, voters are not required to be affiliated with a specific political party to participate and can choose which party’s primary they want to vote in on the day of the election. This means voters can choose a candidate across party lines.
In states with closed primaries, only voters registered with a specific party can participate in that party’s primary. Independent voters may need to re-register with a political party or take other steps to participate in a closed primary.
How primaries work in each state
States with Closed Primaries
- Delaware
- Florida
- Kentucky
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Wyoming
Partially Closed Primary States
- Connecticut
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Utah
- West Virginia
Partially Open Primary States
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- New Jersey
- Ohio
Open to Unaffiliated Voters Primary States
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Rhode Island
Open Primary States
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- North Dakota
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin