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Open primaries, answered.

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Open primaries let any registered voter take part in a primary election, regardless of party.

This Independent Voter Project FAQ answers 43 common questions about open primaries, closed primaries, which states use each, More Choice Voting, Super PACs, and how to take action. Each answer leads with the direct reply, then the supporting facts.

What open primaries are

What is the definition of an open primary?
An open primary is a primary election in which a voter does not have to be a registered member of a political party to take part. Definitions vary by state. In some states voters pick one party's ballot on election day, and in nonpartisan systems such as California's Top-Two, every candidate appears on one ballot that every voter receives.
What are open primaries in simple terms?
Open primaries let every registered voter help choose which candidates reach the general election, regardless of party registration. The Independent Voter Project argues that because primaries are run by the state and paid for with public money, citizenship rather than party membership should be the qualification to vote in them.
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.
What is a nonpartisan or top-two primary?
A top-two primary puts every candidate, regardless of party, on a single ballot that every registered voter receives. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election, even if they share a party. California adopted this system through Proposition 14 in 2010, a measure authored by the Independent Voter Project.
What is a top-four or final-five primary?
It is a version of the nonpartisan primary in which the top four or five finishers advance, usually to a ranked choice general election. Alaska adopted a final-four system in 2020 that paired an open primary with ranked choice voting, and Alaska voters later rejected a repeal, with 52.6% voting No on Ballot Measure 2 as of the latest count.
Do taxpayers pay for primary elections?
Yes. Primary elections are administered by state and local election officials and funded with public money, even in states where only party members may vote. That is the core of the Independent Voter Project argument: an election paid for by every taxpayer should be open to every qualified voter, not only to those who join a private party.
Can independent voters vote in primaries?
It depends on the state. In closed primary states, voters registered with no party cannot vote in any party primary. In semi-closed states they may choose one party's ballot, and in open and nonpartisan states they can vote freely. Confirm your state's current rules with your state election office or IVP's state voter data pages.

Open vs closed primaries

What is the difference between open and closed primaries?
In a closed primary, only voters registered with a party can vote in that party's primary. In an open primary, voters can participate without joining a party. Between the two sit semi-closed and semi-open systems, and at the most open end are nonpartisan primaries, where every candidate and every voter share one ballot.
What is a semi-closed primary?
In a semi-closed primary, registered party members vote in their own party's primary, while unaffiliated voters may choose one party's ballot. Voters registered with a different party cannot cross over. IVP describes this as an improvement over closed primaries that still ties participation to party labels. Rhode Island is one semi-closed state.
What is a semi-open primary?
In a semi-open primary, any voter can request a party's ballot, but that choice may be recorded. Colorado is a semi-open state. It is more open than a closed system, but the voter still takes part by choosing a party ballot rather than voting on one shared ballot.
Why do parties prefer closed primaries to open primaries?
Closed primaries let parties limit nominee selection to their own registered members, which gives party insiders and the most active base voters more influence. Parties also argue they have a constitutional right of association to exclude non-members. IVP answers that voters have an equal right not to join, and the state should not make joining the price of a ballot.
Do open primaries let the other party sabotage a primary?
That concern, often called party raiding, is one of the most common arguments for closed primaries. Nonpartisan top-two systems are designed to sidestep it, because there are no separate party primaries to raid. Every voter receives the same ballot listing every candidate, and the top finishers advance regardless of party.
What are the pros and cons of open primaries?
Supporters say open primaries give every taxpayer a vote in publicly funded elections, push candidates to appeal beyond their base, and bring independents into the round that decides most races. Critics say they weaken party control over nominees and may invite crossover voting. Nonpartisan top-two designs answer the crossover concern with one shared ballot.
Which is better, open or closed primaries?
The Independent Voter Project holds that open, nonpartisan primaries are better for voters because they give every taxpayer an equal vote in a publicly funded election. Closed primaries suit people who want party members alone to pick nominees. For the 63 million voters registered as independent or unaffiliated, only open systems guarantee a voice in the deciding round.

Which states have open primaries

Which states have open primaries in 2026?
Rules differ for state, congressional, and presidential races, so the answer depends on the office. Alabama runs open primaries, California uses a nonpartisan Top-Two, Alaska uses a nonpartisan top-four for state races, and Colorado is semi-open. For your exact state, check your election office or IVP's state voter data pages, updated in November 2026.
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.
Which states have closed primaries?
IVP's primary elections guide lists 15 closed primary states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wyoming. In these states, voters registered with no party cannot vote in party primaries. Rules change, so confirm with your state election office before each election.
Which states have top-two primaries?
California uses a nonpartisan Top-Two primary for state and congressional offices, adopted when voters passed Proposition 14 in 2010. Washington also uses a top-two system. Alaska uses a related nonpartisan top-four primary for state races. Presidential primaries in these states follow separate party rules, so check each election.
Which states have semi-closed primaries?
IVP's guide lists 10 semi-closed jurisdictions: Washington, D.C., Idaho, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, and West Virginia. In these places unaffiliated voters can choose a party ballot, while members of another party cannot cross over.
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.
Can independents vote in New York primaries?
No. New York runs closed primaries, so only voters enrolled in a party may vote in that party's primary. IVP filed Rieckhoff v. Berger in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on October 1, 2026, challenging rules that bar 3,187,610 registered voters, 25.4% of the electorate, from primaries.

More Choice Voting

What is More Choice Voting?
More Choice Voting is the Independent Voter Project reform for widening the field of viable candidates. It combines an open primary, where all candidates appear on one ballot and the top finishers advance, with ranked choice or approval voting in the general election, so the winner must earn broad support rather than survive a low-turnout primary.
How does ranked choice voting work in a general election?
Voters rank candidates in order of preference instead of picking only one. If no candidate wins a majority of first choices, the last-place candidate is eliminated and those ballots move to each voter's next choice, repeating until one candidate has majority support. Paired with an open primary, it lets more than two candidates compete in November.
Where is More Choice Voting already used?
Alaska adopted a final-four system in 2020 that pairs an open primary with ranked choice voting. Final-five and top-five systems have passed in Alaska and are advancing in other states. Alaska voters later rejected a repeal, with 52.6% voting No on Ballot Measure 2 as of the latest count.
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 does More Choice Voting relate to open primaries?
Open primaries come first. They give every voter access to the opening round, and More Choice Voting builds on that by sending more than two finishers to a general election decided by ranking. The recommended path for new supporters is to back open primaries first, then explore More Choice Voting.

Super PACs

What are Super PACs?
Super PACs are political committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts from individuals, corporations, and unions to support or oppose candidates, as long as they do not coordinate with campaigns or give money directly to them. They grew after the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision. The Federal Election Commission publishes the official rules at fec.gov.
What is the difference between Super PACs and PACs?
A traditional PAC can give money directly to candidates, but what it receives and gives is capped by federal contribution limits. A Super PAC cannot give directly to candidates, but it can accept unlimited contributions and spend unlimited amounts on independent ads. Check current limits on the Federal Election Commission website, fec.gov.
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.
Why does IVP want to limit Super PACs?
IVP argues that unlimited contributions give a handful of wealthy donors more influence over who gets elected than millions of ordinary voters, and that officials then govern with their funders in mind. A $5,000 cap, IVP says, does not eliminate political speech. It levels the field for small donors and ordinary voters.
Could Super PAC limits spread to other states?
That is the goal. FIVE is defending Maine's law and building a legal framework to take the fight to all 50 states. A court win in Maine could set precedent for Super PAC contribution limits nationwide, which is why the case matters well beyond one state.
How can I support limits on Super PACs?
Start on IVP's Take Action page, where you can sign the petition to end Super PACs, donate, or subscribe for reform updates. The suggested order for new supporters is to begin with open primaries, then explore More Choice Voting, and join the Super PAC effort as part of the same mission.

About the Independent Voter Project

What is the Independent Voter Project?
The Independent Voter Project is a national, nonpartisan election reform organization founded in 2006. It works to give voters more choices and better representation through open primaries for every voter, More Choice Voting, and limits on Super PACs, using legal action, policy research, ballot initiatives, and grassroots organizing.
Is the Independent Voter Project partisan?
No. IVP is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) social welfare organization that does not endorse candidates. It is funded by more than 4,200 individual donors from across the political spectrum, including Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Greens, and independents.
Did IVP write California's Top-Two primary?
Yes. IVP authored Proposition 14, which California voters passed in 2010. It replaced closed partisan primaries with a single nonpartisan ballot where the top two finishers advance regardless of party. Nearly 40 million Californians now take part in a primary that does not require party membership.
Are donations to IVP tax-deductible?
No. Because IVP is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, contributions are not tax-deductible as charitable donations. That structure lets IVP author ballot measures, file lawsuits, and advocate for structural election reform. IVP says its IRS determination letter is available on request through its contact page.
How do I contact the Independent Voter Project?
Email contact@independentvoterproject.org for general, media, and partnership inquiries, or call (619) 207-4618 during normal business hours, Pacific time. Mail goes to PO Box 34431, San Diego, CA 92163. IVP typically responds within 2 to 3 business days, and within 24 hours for urgent media requests.

Taking action

What should I do first to support election reform?
Support open primaries first. It is the reform that reaches the most voters soonest, and the simplest step is signing the open primaries petition, which takes about 30 seconds. After that, explore More Choice Voting, which builds on open primaries by bringing more candidates into the general election.
What are the ways to take action with the Independent Voter Project?
There are three: sign a petition for open primaries, More Choice Voting, or ending Super PACs; donate as a one-time gift, monthly supporter, or member to fund legal action and research; or subscribe to nonpartisan reform updates. All three start from IVP's Take Action page at independentvoterproject.org.
Where does my donation to IVP go?
IVP directs its budget to four areas: electoral reform, legal strategy, voter education and data, and nonpartisan advocacy and operations. That covers authoring ballot measures, defending laws in court, voter data tools, funding IVN.us, and coalition work. IVP publishes its financials and Form 990 filings on its website.
How can New York voters get involved in the closed primary lawsuit?
New York voters who feel closed primaries have violated their voting rights can sign a declaration telling their story in support of Rieckhoff v. Berger. It takes about five minutes, in your own words. Start from IVP's Take Action page or its New York case page.
Do I have to be an independent to support IVP?
No. IVP defines an independent voter as one whose politics are not governed by a party, a mindset rather than a registration status, so a registered Democrat or Republican can share its goals. IVP donors include Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Greens, and independents.

New here? Start with the open primaries overview.

Start with open primaries.

Signing the open primaries petition takes about 30 seconds. Then explore More Choice Voting, the reform that builds on it.

Take action with IVP