Can You Run As A Democrat If You Are Registered Independent

Rules in your state

A primary election is an election used either to narrow the field of candidates for a given elective office or to determine the nominees for political parties in advance of a general election. Principal elections can have several unlike forms. The terms of participation (due east.g., whether only registered party members tin vote in a party'southward master) in primary elections can vary by jurisdiction, political political party, and the office or offices up for election.

Land BY STATE

Click your state to find out the rules and any local partners we might take

Presidential Primaries
Congressional & State Primaries

Closed primary:

Merely voters registered with a detail party may vote in that party's primary ballot. So if you are registered every bit a Democrat, you tin can only vote for Democratic candidates. If you're a registered Republican you can only vote for Republican candidates. If you are registered with a minor party, yous can simply vote in that party's primary-if they concord ane. The top vote-getter for each party moves on to the general election. Unaffiliated/independent voters cannot vote in airtight primary elections.

States with airtight primaries include: Alaska*,Arizona, California*, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho*, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska*, Nevada, New Jersey, New United mexican states, New York, *Northward Dakota (no voter registration)*, Oklahoma*, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota*, Utah*, Washington*

*In these states the Autonomous party has amended its rules to allow Independents to participate.

Open partisan primary

with partisan registration:

Unaffiliated/contained voters may choose a major party ballot line in the primary; either Republican or Democrat. Voters who are already affiliated with a political party- Republican, Democrat or minor political party- can vote only in that party's primary.

States with a partisan main and partisan voter registration include: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Wyoming

Open partisan principal

with nonpartisan registration:

Voters are non required to formally affiliate/unaffiliated with a political party. Every voter can choose a ballot line-Republican or Democrat-to vote in the primary.

States with a partisan open primary and nonpartisan voter registration include: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Northward Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin.

Closed primary:

But voters registered with a particular party may vote in that party'south primary election. And then if you are registered as a Democrat, you tin can merely vote for Democratic candidates. If you're a registered Republican you tin only vote for Republican candidates. If you are registered with a minor party, yous can only vote in that political party'southward chief-if they hold one. The top vote-getter for each party moves on to the general election. Unaffiliated/independent voters cannot vote in closed principal elections.

States with closed primaries include: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho*, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, Oklahoma*, New Jersey, New United mexican states, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota*, Utah*

*In these states the Democratic party has amended its primary rules to allow independents to participate.

Open partisan primary

with partisan registration:

Unaffiliated/independent voters may cull a major party election line in the chief; either Republican or Democrat. Voters who are already affiliated with a political party- Republican, Democrat or small-scale party- can vote merely in that party's primary.

States with a partisan master and partisan voter registration include: Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, Rhode Isle, West Virginia, Wyoming.

Open partisan primary

with nonpartisan registration:

Voters are not required to formally affiliate/unaffiliated with a political party. Every voter can choose a ballot line-Republican or Democrat-to vote in the primary.

States with a partisan open principal and nonpartisan voter registration include: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, *North Dakota (no voter registration), Ohio, S Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin

Top two open primary:

Pinnacle two open primaries are currently used for statewide elections in Washington, California and for state legislature in Nebraska. In this type of election, there is no Republican main or Democratic primary. There is one chief, run past the land, with all candidates and all parties (or no party) listed. Every voter can participate and vote for every candidate, regardless of party. The height-two vote getters move on to the full general Election.

States with a acme two open primary: California, Washington, *Nebraska (country legislative races only)

Top 4 open master:

Similar to the top two and currently only used in Alaska (in combination with ranked choice voting), in the top iv open principal there is no Republican principal or Democratic principal. There is one main, run by the state, with all candidates and all parties (or no political party) listed. Every voter can participate and vote for every candidate, regardless of political party. The top-four vote getters motility on to the full general election.

States with a acme four open principal: Alaska

Runoff main:

This system eliminates the main ballot birthday. Instead, all candidates, regardless of political party affiliation, run on the same ballot in Nov. If a candidate receives more than half of the votes, that candidate is elected. If no candidate wins with a majority, the top two vote-getters face off in a Dec runoff election.

States with a runoff primary: Louisiana