Alabama (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary. ]Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary.
|
Within fourteen days prior to the election.
Code of Ala. § 17-3-50
Voter needs to be registered and may choose which primary or party ballot to vote. It holds that voter to that affiliation in case of a runoff election. However, it does not register the voter with that party.
|
No.
Ala. Code § 17-3-52 |
No. |
Alaska (Partially Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: political parties to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate before each election cycle. |
Thirty days before an election.
Alaska Stat. § 15.07.070 |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Arizona (Open to Unaffiliated Voters Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Twenty-nine days before an election.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-120 |
Yes.
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 16-152 |
Yes. |
Arkansas (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Thirty days before an election.
Ark. Const. Amendment 51, §9
Voter needs to be registered and may choose which primary or party ballot to vote. It holds that voter to that affiliation in case of a runoff election. However, it does not register the voter with that party.
|
Yes. |
No, Arkansas does not have online voter registration. |
California (Top-Two Primary) |
A common ballot listing all candidates with top two vote-getters advancing to the general election.
Democrat: any candidate.
Republican: any candidate.
Unaffiliated: any candidate. |
Fifteen days before an election.
Same-day registration is permitted 14 days before an election and on Election Day.
Cal. Elec. Code § 2102, Cal. Elec. Code § 2170 |
Yes
Cal. Elec. Code § 2150 |
Yes, to change your political party preference, you must re-register to vote. |
Colorado (Open to Unaffiliated Voters Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Eight days before an election to receive a ballot by mail.
Deadlines for voter registration drives are 22 days before an election.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-2-201 |
Yes.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-2-204 |
Yes, under Colorado’s “Find My Voter Registration”; After finding their record, the voter can change party affiliation. |
Connecticut (Partially Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: political parties to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate before each election cycle.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-431 |
The registration deadline is up to noon the day before the primary.
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-23g
A voter switching political affiliation must do it three months before election.
|
Yes. |
Yes. |
Delaware (Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: none. |
Before a primary election: anytime except from the last Saturday in May through the date of the primary.
15 Del. C. § 2049
Before a presidential primary: anytime except from the 59th day before the presidential primary through the date of the election.
15 Del. C. § 3189
The last date to register to vote for any presidential primary, primary and general election shall be the fourth Saturday prior to the date of the election.
15 Del. C. § 2036
|
Yes.
Del. Code tit. 15, § 1302 |
Yes. |
Florida (Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: none. |
The deadline to submit a party change before a primary election is twenty-nine days before that election.
Fla. Stat. § 97.055
|
Yes.
Fla. Stat. § 97.052 |
Yes. |
Georgia (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Twenty-nine days before an election.
Ga. Code § 21-2-224 |
No.
Ga. Code Ann. § 21-2-221.2, Ga. Code Ann. § 21-2-220 |
No. |
Hawaii (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary.
HRS § 12-31 |
Twenty-nine days before an election.
Same-day registration is permitted during early voting and on Election Day.
Hawaii Rev. Stat. §11-24 |
No.
Haw. Rev. Stat. § 11-15 |
No. |
Idaho (Partially Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: political parties to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate before each election cycle.
|
For a primary election, an elector may change their political party affiliation or become “unaffiliated” by filing a signed form with the county clerk no later than the last day a candidate may file for partisan political office prior to such primary election.
Idaho Code § 34-704. (5 p.m., on the tenth Friday preceding the primary election).
An “unaffiliated” elector may affiliate with the party of the elector's choice by filing a signed form up to and including Election Day. Idaho Code § 34-1002. (Application for absentee ballot).
An “unaffiliated” elector may affiliate with the party of the elector's choice on or before Election Day, by declaring such political party affiliation to the poll worker. |
Yes.
Idaho Code § 34-411 |
Yes, affiliate with a political party or change your status to unaffiliated.
|
Illinois (Partially Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Republicans: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice. |
Registration deadline is twenty-eight days before an election. Sixteen days before if registering online.
Election Day registration is permitted from twenty-seven days before the election and on Election Day.
10 ILCS 5/4-6, 4-16, 5-5, 6-29, 1A-16.5
In Illinois, a voter is not required to declare a party at the time they register to vote and is considered independent until the time the voter casts a party ballot at a primary election. There is no form to change party affiliation. |
No.
10 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/1A-16 |
No. |
Indiana (Partially Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Republicans: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice. |
Registration deadline is twenty-nine days before an election.
Ind. Code §3-7-13-10
A voter must select either a Democratic or Republican ballot to vote in the primary election. In Indiana, your party affiliation is determined by how you voted in the last primary election in which you voted. |
No.
Ind. Code Ann. § 3-7-31-5, Ind. Code Ann. § 3-7-22-5 |
No. |
Iowa (Partially Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Republicans: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice. |
Voters can change their party affiliation any time before Election Day or at the polling place on Election Day.
Iowa Code § 43.42
Any registered voter who desires to change or declare a political party affiliation may, before the close of registration for the primary election, file a written declaration stating the change of party affiliation with the county commissioner of registration who shall enter a notation of such change on the registration records.
Iowa Code § 43.41
|
Yes.
Iowa Code § 48A.11 |
Yes. |
Kansas (Open to Unaffiliated Voters Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Twenty-one days before an election.
Kan. Stat. §25-2311 |
Yes.
Kan. Stat. § 25-2309 |
Yes, a voter must re-register each time they change their party affiliation for voting. |
Kentucky (Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: none. |
A voter may change their political party registration at any time on or before December 31 to remain eligible to vote in the following political party primary election.
KRS § 116.045 |
Yes.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 116.155 |
Yes. |
Louisiana |
N/A - all candidates run on the same ticket in general elections. |
Changes must be made at least 20 days prior to an election if registering through the online registration system with a Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana special ID card or 30 days prior to an election if registering in person or by mail.
La R.S. 18:101(B) and La R.S. 18:135(C) |
Yes.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:104 |
Yes. |
Maine (Open to Unaffiliated Voters Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
By the close of business on the 15th day before the election. |
Yes. |
No, Maine does not have online voter registration. |
Maryland (Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: none. |
The deadline to change party affiliation is twenty-one days before an election.
To change party affiliation, a voter can use Maryland's Online Voter Registration System (OLVR) or submit a new voter registration application or a signed written request to your local board of elections. |
Yes.
Md. Code, Elec. Law § 3-202 |
Yes. |
Massachusetts (Open to Unaffiliated Voters Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Twenty days before an election. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Michigan (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Registration deadline is fifteen days before an election.
There is no political party registration requirement in Michigan. Any registered voter can participate in the primary. The voter must make a ballot selection in writing by completing the Application to Vote/Ballot Selection Form on Election Day; or on the Absent Voter Ballot Application form.
Mich. Comp. Laws Serv. § 168.615c |
No. |
No. |
Minnesota (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Registration deadline is twenty-one days before an election.
Minn. Stat. Ann. §201.054, 201.061 |
No.
Minn. Stat. § 201.071 |
No. |
Mississippi (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Registration deadline is thirty days before an election. |
No.
Miss. Code § 23-15-39 |
No, Mississippi does not have online voter registration. |
Missouri (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Registration deadline is twenty-seven days before an election.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.135 |
No. |
No. |
Montana (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Registration deadline is thirty days before an election.
MCA 13-2-301, MCA 13-2-304 |
No.
Mont. Code § 13-1-210 |
No, Montana does not have online voter registration. |
Nebraska |
All candidates are on the same nonpartisan primary ballot. |
A voter may change party affiliation at any time. |
Yes.
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-312 |
Yes. |
Nevada (Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: none. |
Registration deadline is twenty-eight days before an election in-person; postmarked twenty-eight days before if registering by mail; five days before if registering online.
|
Yes. |
Yes. |
New Hampshire (Open to Unaffiliated Voters Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
A voter may change your party affiliation or at any scheduled meeting of the supervisors of the checklist except for during the period of time between the first day of the filing period for the primary election and/or the presidential primary election and the date of the primary election itself.
Six to thirteen days before an election, depending on local supervisors of the checklist.
N.H. Rev. Stat. §654:7, 654:7-a
|
Yes.
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 654:7 |
No, New Hampshire does not offer online voter registration. |
New Jersey (Open to Unaffiliated Voters Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
A registered voter who wishes to change their party affiliation must file a Political Party Affiliation Declaration Form 55 days before a Primary Election.
N.J. Stat. § 19:31-13.2, N.J. Stat. § 19:23-45
|
Yes, optional.
N.J. Stat. § 19:31-6.4 |
No. |
New Mexico (Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: none. |
A voter needs to fill out a new registration form to change party affiliation twenty-eight days before an election.
N.M. Stat. § 1-4-8
|
Yes.
N.M. Stat. § 1-4-5.4 |
Yes. |
New York (Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: none. |
The voter registration form is used to change party enrollment. A change of enrollment needs to be received by February 14 each year before the June primary.
NY CLS Elec § 5-210 |
Yes.
N.Y. Elec. Law § 5-210 |
Yes. |
North Carolina (Partially Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: political parties to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate before each election cycle. |
Registration deadline is twenty-five days before an election.
N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 163-82.6
The North Carolina Voter Registration Application may be used to change party affiliation. The change notification must be signed, and should be sent to the appropriate county board of elections by the voter registration deadline. |
Yes.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-82.4 |
Yes, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) customers may update their voter registration, including party affiliation through the DMV’s Online Voter Registration Service. |
North Dakota (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
N/A - North Dakota does not maintain or require voter registration. |
N/A - North Dakota does not maintain or require voter registration. |
N/A - North Dakota does not maintain or require voter registration. |
Ohio (Partially Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Republicans: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice. |
Registration deadline is thirty days before an election.
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §3503.19
A voter declares a political party affiliation by requesting the ballot of a political party in a partisan primary election. |
No.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3503.14 |
No. |
Oklahoma (Partially Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: political parties to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate before each election cycle. |
The last day a voter may change their political affiliation is March 31.
Changing party affiliation is not allowed from April 1 through August 31. All requests to change party affiliation submitted after March 31 will be processed September 1.
Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 4-119 |
Yes.
Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 4-109.3; Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 4-112 |
Yes. |
Oregon (Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: none. |
Registration deadline is twenty-one days before an election.
Ore. Rev. Stat. § 247.017 |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Pennsylvania (Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: none. |
Fifteen days before an election.
25 P.S. § 3071 |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Rhode Island (Open to Unaffiliated Voters Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
To vote in a party primary you must disaffiliate from any other party at least 30 days before the primary date.
R.I. Gen. Laws Section 17-9.1-24 |
Yes.
R.I. Gen. Laws Section 17-9.1-6, R.I. Gen. Laws Section 17-9.1-7,
R.I. Gen. Laws Section 17-9.1-9 |
Yes. |
South Carolina (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary. Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Thirty days before an election.
S.C. Code Ann. § 7-5-150 |
No.
S.C. Code § 7-5-320 |
No, South Carolina does not have online voter registration. |
South Dakota (Partially Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: political parties to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate before each election cycle. |
To change party affiliation, a voter must update their voter registration by completing a voter registration form, then mail or return to their county auditor fifteen days before an election.
S.D. Codified Laws § 12-4-15, S.D. Codified Laws § 12-4-5
|
Yes. |
No, South Dakota does not have online voter registration. |
Tennessee (Partially Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Republicans: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice. |
Registration deadline is thirty days before an election.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-109
|
No.
Tenn. Code § 2-2-116 |
No. |
Texas (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Registration deadline is thirty days before an election.
Tex. Elec. Code § 13.143
A registered voter is not required to pre-register or take any steps towards affiliating themselves with a party before voting in a party’s primary election.
Tex. Elec. Code § 162.003, 162.006
|
No.
Tex. Elec. Code § 13.121, Tex. Elec. Code § 13.122 |
No, Texas does not offer online voter registration. |
Utah (Partially Closed Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: political parties to choose whether to allow unaffiliated voters to participate before each election cycle. |
To change political parties, a voter will need to update their voter registration online, by mail, or in-person by the voter registration deadline of eleven days before an election.
Utah Code Ann. § 20A-2-107, Utah Code Ann. § 20A-2-102.5 |
Yes.
Utah Code § 20A-2-104 |
Yes. |
Vermont (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
All registered voters can vote in the primary election—but can only vote on one ballot.
Same-day registration is permitted through Election Day. Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 17, § 2144 |
No.
17 V.S.A. § 2145 |
No, there is no party registration in Vermont. |
Virginia (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Virginia does not have registration by political party.
Registration deadline is twenty-eight days before an election. Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-416
|
No.
Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-418 |
No, Virginia does not have registration by political party. |
Washington (Top-Two Primary) |
A common ballot listing all candidates with top two vote-getters advancing to the general election. Democrat: any candidate.
Republican: any candidate.
Unaffiliated: any candidate. |
Washington does not register voters by political party or party affiliation. The registration deadline is no later than eight days before the day of the primary.
Rev. Code Wash. § 29A.08.140
|
No.
Wash. Rev. Code § 29A.08.210 |
No, Washington does not register voters by political party or party affiliation. |
West Virginia (Open to Unaffiliated Voters Primary) |
Democrats: their primary only.
Republicans: their primary only.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
Any registered voter who desires to change his or her political party affiliation may do so by filing, no later than the close of voter registration. Voter registration closes on the twenty-first day before the election.
W. Va. Code § 3-2-22, W. Va. Code § 3-2-6 |
Yes.
W. Va. Code § 3-2-5 |
Yes. |
Wisconsin (Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary.
Republicans: either major party primary.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary. |
All registered voters can vote in the primary election but can only vote on one ballot.
Twenty days before an election if registering online or by mail. Friday before election if registering in-person.
Wis. Stat. § 6.28 |
No.
Wis. Stat. § 6.33 |
No, Wisconsin does not register voters by party affiliation. |
Wyoming (Partially Open Primary) |
Democrats: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Republicans: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice.
Unaffiliated: either major party primary but must declare their ballot choice. |
To change your party affiliation, a voter must complete the Wyoming Voter Registration Application & Change Form and submit it to their county clerk’s office not later than fourteen days before the primary election.
Wyo. Stat. § 22-3-102 |
Yes.
Wyo. Stat. § 22-3-103 |
No, Wyoming does not have online voter registration. |