By the numbers
Primary elections by the numbers.
Last updated:
Turnout in 2026 primaries was 23.3% nationally, and only two states, Oregon and California, reached 35%.
2026 figures show most primaries draw small, uncontested electorates. Only 22.1% of possible primaries were contested. All three states with nonpartisan top-two or top-four primaries cleared the 30% turnout goal. The Independent Voter Project uses figures like these to make the case for open primaries.
How many people vote in primary elections?
Fewer than one in four eligible voters. National primary turnout was 23.3% in the 2026 midterm cycle, the highest in a recent trend of rising midterm turnout but still a small share. When a primary decides a safe seat, that small group effectively chooses the winner for everyone.
The statistics, with sources
23.3%
National primary turnout in the 2026 midterm cycle.
Source: our audit
2
States met the 35% primary turnout goal: Oregon and California, which uses the nonpartisan Top-Two.
Source: our audit
12
States met or exceeded 30% turnout, including Alaska, California, and Washington, the three states with nonpartisan top-two or top-four primaries.
Source: our audit
22.1%
Share of all possible primaries in 2026 that were contested.
Source: our audit
25.5%
Share of the 5,613 incumbents filing for re-election who faced a contested primary.
Source: our audit
32.5%
State legislative general elections on track to be uncontested by one major party in 2026.
Source: our audit
63M
Registered independent or unaffiliated voters nationally, 28.9% of all registered voters.
Source: our audit
74.9%
Maine voters who approved a $5,000 cap on Super PAC donations in 2023.
Source: our audit
What do these numbers mean for open primaries?
They describe a primary system where few people vote and many races are never contested. The Independent Voter Project argues that letting every voter take part, and putting every candidate on one ballot, is the most direct fix. Read the full case in the open primaries overview, or see which states have open primaries.
Common questions
- How many voters are locked out of primaries?
- Tens of millions. The national petition run by IVP and Open Primaries puts the number at 30 million Americans locked out across 15 closed primary states. Nationally, 63 million voters are registered independent or unaffiliated, 28.9% of all registered voters.
- Why do primary elections matter so much?
- In many districts the primary is the election that actually decides who wins. Ballotpedia found that only 22.1% of possible 2026 primaries were contested, and MultiState reports that 32.5% of state legislative general election seats are on track to be uncontested by one major party in 2026. Where one party dominates, the primary is the real contest.
- Why does IVP say two choices is not enough?
- 83% of races are effectively decided before the general election. When November offers one Democrat and one Republican, often in a safe district, voters settle for the lesser of two options. More Choice Voting aims to make more races competitive so representatives answer to constituents rather than party leadership.
- How many states have open primaries?
- It depends on how you count. IVP's primary elections guide classifies 15 states as closed, meaning voters without a party are shut out entirely. The remaining 35 states and Washington, D.C. let unaffiliated voters take part in at least some way, through semi-closed, semi-open, open, or nonpartisan systems.
- What did Maine voters decide about Super PACs?
- In 2023, Maine voters passed Question 1, capping donations to Super PACs at $5,000. 74.9% of Maine voters said yes, nearly 3 to 1 support. FIVE, the Foundation for Independent Voter Education, is defending the law in court against legal challenges from opposition groups.
Start with open primaries.
Signing the open primaries petition takes about 30 seconds. Then explore More Choice Voting, the reform that builds on it.