Independent Voter Q+A

What is split ticket voting for an independent voter?

Split-ticket voting is when voters spread their votes across multiple parties.

‍Split-ticket voting is when voters spread their votes across multiple parties during an election. For independent voters who don’t feel that their views are represented by either of the two major parties, this option allows them to choose the options that best suit their needs/preferences at the ballot box.

How do independent voters split-ticket vote?

Split-ticket voting is easy! To vote split-ticket, simply follow these easy steps:

  1. Head to your local polling place.
  1. Provide the necessary information to your polling official (a valid driver’s license, etc.)
  1. At the ballot box, ignore the party labels next to the candidates. Democrat, Republican, Green, etc. They don’t matter. The point of split-ticket voting is to select the best candidate, regardless of partisan affiliation.
  1. Once you’re done, submit your ballot.

That’s all there is to it! Being an independent voter means that you’re a free thinker. While party affiliation might be a useful shorthand, it fails to capture the complexity and nuance of today’s world.

Next time you’re at the ballot box, ignore the partisan labels and vote for who YOU think will best serve the interests of you and your community.

Back to Resources

State-by-State Guide

Click on the map below or select from the drop-down menu to learn more about primary election rules and how to register and vote as an independent in your state.
States
closed primaries
Wyoming

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closed primaries
Wyoming

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closed primaries
Tennessee

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closed primaries
Tennessee

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open primaries
Virginia

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open primaries
Virginia

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open primaries
Wisconsin

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open primaries
Wisconsin

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partially closed primaries
West Virginia

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partially closed primaries
West Virginia

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top-two primaries
Washington

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top-two primaries
Washington

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open primaries
Vermont

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open primaries
Vermont

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partially closed primaries
South Dakota

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partially closed primaries
South Dakota

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partially closed primaries
Utah

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partially closed primaries
Utah

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open primaries
Texas

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open primaries
Texas

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open primaries
South Carolina

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open primaries
South Carolina

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primaries open to unaffiliated
Rhode Island

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primaries open to unaffiliated
Rhode Island

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closed primaries
Pennsylvania

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closed primaries
Pennsylvania

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open primaries
Montana

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open primaries
Montana

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partially open primaries
Oregon

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partially open primaries
Oregon

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partially closed primaries
Oklahoma

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partially closed primaries
Oklahoma

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partially open primaries
Ohio

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partially open primaries
Ohio

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closed primaries
New York

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closed primaries
New York

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open primaries
North Dakota

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open primaries
North Dakota

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primaries open to unaffiliated
North Carolina

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primaries open to unaffiliated
North Carolina

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closed primaries
New Mexico

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closed primaries
New Mexico

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closed primaries
New Jersey

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closed primaries
New Jersey

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primaries open to unaffiliated
New Hampshire

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primaries open to unaffiliated
New Hampshire

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open primaries
Nebraska

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open primaries
Nebraska

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closed primaries
Nevada

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closed primaries
Nevada

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partially open primaries
Iowa

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partially open primaries
Iowa

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open primaries
Missouri

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open primaries
Missouri

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open primaries
Mississippi

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open primaries
Mississippi

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open primaries
Minnesota

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open primaries
Minnesota

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open primaries
Michigan

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open primaries
Michigan

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primaries open to unaffiliated
Massachusetts

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primaries open to unaffiliated
Massachusetts

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partially closed primaries
Maryland

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partially closed primaries
Maryland

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primaries open to unaffiliated
Maine

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primaries open to unaffiliated
Maine

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closed primaries
Kentucky

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closed primaries
Kentucky

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primaries open to unaffiliated
Louisiana

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primaries open to unaffiliated
Louisiana

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partially closed primaries
Kansas

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partially closed primaries
Kansas

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partially open primaries
Indiana

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partially open primaries
Indiana

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partially open primaries
Illinois

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partially open primaries
Illinois

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partially closed primaries
Idaho

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partially closed primaries
Idaho

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open primaries
Hawaii

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open primaries
Hawaii

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open primaries
Georgia

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open primaries
Georgia

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partially closed primaries
Connecticut

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partially closed primaries
Connecticut

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closed primaries
Florida

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closed primaries
Florida

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closed primaries
Delaware

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closed primaries
Delaware

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open primaries
Arkansas

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open primaries
Arkansas

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primaries open to unaffiliated
Colorado

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primaries open to unaffiliated
Colorado

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open primaries
Alabama

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open primaries
Alabama

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top-two primaries
California

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top-two primaries
California

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top-four primaries
Alaska

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top-four primaries
Alaska

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partially open primaries
Arizona

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partially open primaries
Arizona

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The Independent Center researches, engages, and advocates for independent voters who want common sense, centrist solutions.

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