Voter Registration by Party 2026 — Stats for All 50 States
How many Americans are registered as Democrats, Republicans, or independents? The answer depends entirely on which state you live in. Only about 31 states and D.C. track party affiliation on voter registration forms — the other 19 states do not record party membership at all.
This guide breaks down voter registration by party for every state that tracks it, explains why many states do not, and covers what party registration means for your ability to vote in primary elections ahead of the 2026 midterms.
States That Track Party Registration vs. States That Don't
Whether your state records party affiliation depends on state law. There are two main categories:
- Partisan registration states (31 + D.C.): When you register to vote, you choose a party (Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green, etc.) or register as unaffiliated/independent. Your choice may affect which primary you can vote in.
- Non-partisan registration states (19): You register to vote without declaring any party. The state does not track or record party membership. In most of these states, you can vote in any party's primary.
States Without Party Registration
These 19 states do not record party affiliation when you register to vote:
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin
Party Registration Data by State
The table below shows party registration numbers for the 31 states (plus D.C.) that track party affiliation. Data reflects the most recent reports from each state's election office as of early 2026. States without party registration are listed at the bottom.
| State | Democrat | Republican | Independent / Other | Total Registered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 79,000 | 146,000 | 337,000 | 562,000 |
| Arizona | 1,380,000 | 1,530,000 | 1,490,000 | 4,400,000 |
| California | 10,280,000 | 5,280,000 | 6,640,000 | 22,200,000 |
| Colorado | 1,120,000 | 1,030,000 | 1,630,000 | 3,780,000 |
| Connecticut | 870,000 | 490,000 | 830,000 | 2,190,000 |
| Delaware | 340,000 | 205,000 | 185,000 | 730,000 |
| Florida | 4,870,000 | 5,420,000 | 3,910,000 | 14,200,000 |
| Iowa | 570,000 | 730,000 | 710,000 | 2,010,000 |
| Kansas | 460,000 | 860,000 | 570,000 | 1,890,000 |
| Kentucky | 1,560,000 | 1,620,000 | 410,000 | 3,590,000 |
| Louisiana | 1,310,000 | 1,010,000 | 670,000 | 2,990,000 |
| Maine | 380,000 | 290,000 | 360,000 | 1,030,000 |
| Maryland | 2,240,000 | 1,020,000 | 830,000 | 4,090,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1,570,000 | 490,000 | 2,670,000 | 4,730,000 |
| Nebraska | 360,000 | 610,000 | 280,000 | 1,250,000 |
| Nevada | 690,000 | 660,000 | 510,000 | 1,860,000 |
| New Hampshire | 270,000 | 300,000 | 370,000 | 940,000 |
| New Jersey | 2,460,000 | 1,560,000 | 2,310,000 | 6,330,000 |
| New Mexico | 580,000 | 410,000 | 290,000 | 1,280,000 |
| New York | 6,300,000 | 2,840,000 | 3,160,000 | 12,300,000 |
| North Carolina | 2,440,000 | 2,290,000 | 2,630,000 | 7,360,000 |
| Ohio | Tracked at primary* | Tracked at primary* | N/A | 7,960,000 |
| Oklahoma | 720,000 | 1,120,000 | 350,000 | 2,190,000 |
| Oregon | 1,080,000 | 740,000 | 1,070,000 | 2,890,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 3,970,000 | 3,520,000 | 1,610,000 | 9,100,000 |
| Rhode Island | 240,000 | 80,000 | 400,000 | 720,000 |
| South Dakota | 130,000 | 290,000 | 150,000 | 570,000 |
| Utah | 200,000 | 730,000 | 700,000 | 1,630,000 |
| Washington | Tracked at primary* | Tracked at primary* | N/A | 4,830,000 |
| West Virginia | 370,000 | 450,000 | 200,000 | 1,020,000 |
| Wyoming | 40,000 | 200,000 | 50,000 | 290,000 |
| Washington D.C. | 420,000 | 30,000 | 90,000 | 540,000 |
* Ohio and Washington do not register voters by party on their registration forms. Party affiliation is only recorded when a voter participates in a partisan primary.
Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand and reflect the most recent available data from each state's election office (2025-2026). "Independent / Other" includes all unaffiliated voters, third parties (Libertarian, Green, etc.), and voters with no party preference.
Key National Trends
Across the states that track party registration, several trends stand out heading into 2026:
- Independents are the fastest-growing group. In many states — including Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, and Massachusetts — unaffiliated voters now outnumber members of at least one major party.
- Registration does not equal voting. A state may have more registered Democrats than Republicans (or vice versa) and still elect candidates from the other party. Turnout, crossover voting, and independent voters all play a role.
- Competitive swing states like Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania show relatively close numbers between the two major parties, with large independent blocs that often decide elections.
- Some deep-red states still have more registered Democrats due to legacy registrations. Kentucky and Louisiana, for example, have historically high Democratic registration but consistently vote Republican in statewide and federal races.
Open vs. Closed Primaries: Why Party Registration Matters
Your party registration (or lack thereof) directly affects your ability to vote in primary elections. Here is how the main systems work:
Closed Primaries
Only voters registered with a party can vote in that party's primary. If you are registered as an independent or unaffiliated, you cannot vote in either party's primary. States with closed primaries include Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky.
Semi-Closed Primaries
Registered party members vote in their own primary, and unaffiliated voters can choose which party's primary to participate in. Registered members of the opposite party cannot cross over. States include Colorado, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.
Open Primaries
Any registered voter can vote in any party's primary, regardless of their own registration. You typically choose which party's ballot you want at the polling place. States include Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia.
Top-Two / Jungle Primaries
All candidates from all parties appear on a single primary ballot. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party. Used in California, Washington, and Louisiana (for most races).
How to Check Your Voter Registration and Party
Verifying your registration before Election Day is one of the most important things you can do. Here is how:
- Visit your state's election website. Every state has a free voter registration lookup tool. Find yours on our state pages.
- Check your party affiliation. If your state tracks party registration, the lookup tool will show your current affiliation.
- Update if needed. If your party or address has changed, update your registration before your state's deadline. Most states allow updates online.
- Know your primary deadline. In closed primary states, you may need to change your party affiliation weeks or months before the primary election to be eligible to vote in it.
Idaho Voter Registration by Party
Idaho is one of the 19 states that does not register voters by party. When Idahoans register to vote, they do not declare a party affiliation. However, Idaho uses a closed primary system for the Republican Party — meaning that only voters who affiliate as Republican at the polls can vote in the Republican primary. The Democratic primary is open to all voters regardless of affiliation.
Idaho had approximately 1,050,000 registered voters as of early 2026. While exact party breakdowns are not tracked on registration forms, primary election participation data shows that a large majority of Idaho voters choose the Republican ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all states register voters by party?
No. Only about 31 states and D.C. include party affiliation on voter registration forms. The other 19 states do not track party registration at all — voters simply register without declaring a party.
What is the difference between an open primary and a closed primary?
In a closed primary, only voters registered with a party can vote in that party's primary. In an open primary, any registered voter can participate in any party's primary. Some states use semi-closed or semi-open systems with variations.
How do I check my voter registration and party affiliation?
Visit your state's Secretary of State or election office website. Most states offer a free online voter registration lookup tool where you can verify your status, affiliation, and polling place.
Can I change my party registration?
Yes. In states with party registration, you can change your affiliation by updating your voter registration online or by submitting a new form. Some states have deadlines before primary elections, so check your state's rules early.
Sources: State election office reports, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Ballot Access News. Registration numbers are approximate and rounded. Party registration data changes continuously — check your state's election website for the most current figures. Last updated April 2026.