Unaffiliated Voter Registration & Primary Elections by State (and DC), 2022-2023

Rules on voter registration and their participation in the primaries/caucuses are different from state to state and can depend on the party. Details below. Columns can be sorted by clicking on the headers; click arrow on the right to scroll through to other states.

ᵃ In Connecticut, state law gives political parties the power to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their party's primary. Neither party have chosen to do so.

ᵇ In Florida, only registered Democrats can vote on the Democratic Primary ballot. Only registered Republicans can vote on the Republican Party ballot. Unaffiliated voters can only vote on nonpartisan offices and/or issues, referendums, etc. However, if all candidates in a given race are from 1 party (no challengers from opposite party), then a Universal Primary Contest is held in which all registered voters can participate.

ᶜ In Kansas, state law gives political parties the power to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their party's primary and remain affiliated or declare party membership. Both parties require unaffiliated voters to fill out party declaration cards to participate.

ᵈ In Louisiana, state law gives political parties the power to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their party's primary. Neither party have chosen to do so.

ᵉ In Maryland, state law gives political parties the power to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their party's primary. Neither party have chosen to do so.

ᶠ In Missouri, state legislation passed in 2022 eliminated state-run presidential primaries in favor of party-run primaries or caucuses. The Democrats opted to organize a Primary that will be open to both Democratic-affiliated and unaffiliated voters but not Republican-affiliated voters. Any unaffiliated voter who requests a ballot for the Democratic primary "shall be deemed a Democrat and a record of those voters who requested and received a ballot shall be maintained by the MDP." Republican caucus unknown at time of publication.

ᵍ In North Carolina, state law allows parties to decide whether to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in their primaries without first registering with that party. Both parties do.

ʰ In Oregon, state law gives political parties the power to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate in their party's primary. Neither party have chosen to do so.
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