Nonpartisan primaries
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Two states use a top-two primary in 2026: California and Washington.
Alaska uses a related top-four system. Open Primary Guide groups all three as nonpartisan primaries: one ballot with every candidate, open to every registered voter, with the top finishers advancing to November regardless of party.
California and Washington. Washington adopted its top-two system in 2004, and California followed in 2010 when voters passed Proposition 14, the measure written by the Independent Voter Project. Nearly 40 million Californians now live under a primary system that does not require party membership, and 27.25% of California's registered voters are independent.
Washington's Initiative 872 passed with 59.8% of the vote (1,632,225 yes to 1,095,190 no) in 2004.
| State | System | Adopted | Advance to general | General election |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Top-two | 2010 (Proposition 14) | 2 | Plurality |
| Washington | Top-two | 2004 | 2 | Plurality |
| Alaska | Top-four | 2020 | 4 | Ranked choice |
Step by step
Alaska
Adopted in 2020, Alaska's system sends four candidates from a single open primary to a ranked-choice general election. About 63.8% of Alaska's roughly 583,000 registered voters are independent, the highest share of any nonpartisan-primary state. Alaska's presidential primary remains closed.
In court
The Supreme Court struck down California's partisan blanket primary in 2000, then upheld Washington's top-two primary in Washington State Grange v. Washington State Republican Party (2008). The difference: top-two does not choose party nominees, so it does not force parties to accept outsiders as their candidates.
Trade-off
Because the top two advance regardless of party, November can feature two Democrats or two Republicans. Supporters say that keeps every voter in play through the final round; critics say it can leave some voters without a candidate from their party. Alaska advances four to reduce that effect.
Louisiana was long known for its single-ballot, majority-vote system for many offices. The 2026 classification this guide follows lists Louisiana as a closed primary state, and rules now vary by office. Check the Louisiana Secretary of State before voting, and see the full 2026 state list.
The first step is supporting open primaries for every voter. Next, see how More Choice Voting builds on them.
California and Washington are the two states with top-two primaries in 2026. Washington adopted its system in 2004 and California in 2010 through Proposition 14. In both, every candidate appears on one ballot, every voter takes part, and the two highest vote-getters advance to November regardless of party.
Alaska uses a nonpartisan top-four primary for state and congressional races, adopted in 2020. All candidates share one ballot, all voters take part, and four advance to a ranked-choice general election. Alaska's presidential primary is still closed. About 63.8% of Alaska's roughly 583,000 registered voters are independent.
California uses a nonpartisan top-two primary for most state and congressional offices, which is even more open than a party primary: every voter gets the same ballot with every candidate. Voters approved it as Proposition 14 in 2010. About 27.25% of California registered voters are independent.
A nonpartisan primary puts every candidate on one ballot and lets every registered voter take part, regardless of party. The top finishers advance to the general election even if they share a party. California and Washington advance the top two. Alaska advances the top four to a ranked-choice general election.
Yes, in top-two states. Because California and Washington advance the top two finishers regardless of party, a general election can feature two Democrats or two Republicans. In Alaska, four candidates advance, which makes a mixed field more likely. Traditional open and closed primaries always produce one nominee per party.
Proposition 14 was the 2010 ballot measure that replaced California's party primaries with a nonpartisan top-two primary. It was authored by the Independent Voter Project and passed by voters. Today nearly 40 million Californians live under a primary system that does not require party membership to vote.
More Choice Voting pairs an open, single-ballot primary with ranked choice or approval voting in the general election. All candidates appear on one primary ballot, the top finishers advance, and voters then rank them. Alaska's top-four system, adopted in 2020, is a working example of this approach.
