Browse states as a list
What the map includes
The primary layer describes 2026 state and congressional participation rules. Presidential contests, nonpartisan offices, party nominations, and runoffs can differ. Categories describe practical access; state notes explain exceptions and affiliation requirements.
How the information was checked
Better Choices for Democracy staff gathered data by state using data from individual official state websites. Classifications were cross-checked against NCSL’s national references and official election sources; state notes address party decisions and 2026 changes. Official voter links were checked by page retrieval or an official search listing where retrieval was restricted. Each state’s source panel links to the evidence.
Party-dependent means parties can use different eligibility rules. Semi-open describes affiliation or declaration at voting; open to unaffiliated allows voters without a party to choose a party ballot, sometimes with enrollment. Closed systems may still permit same-day enrollment. Consult the state note before deciding whether you can participate.
This is a dated guide, not a live election feed. Deadlines and signature thresholds are linked to official resources rather than frozen here. Pending future changes are not treated as rules already in effect. The primary sidebar offers separate Midterm and Presidential turnout tabs. Both show turnout as a share of the voting-eligible population. Missing or unresolved values are shown as gaps. Presidential party coverage and contest formats are listed with the values.
Map boundaries: US Atlas / U.S. Census Bureau. Geographic paths are bundled locally.