A voter primer
A short, honest primer · 2 min read

Can independents vote in Colorado's primary?

Yes, but there’s
a catch*
Take a guess
What % of eligible Coloradans
actually elect their state House rep?
40%
0% 100%
0%

You guessed 40%. Most people overestimate this by 2–3x — because most state-house seats are decided in low-turnout primaries, not the general election everyone shows up for.

Democracy is Delicious

Here's the deal

The good news, the bad news, and the bigger news.

01
Yes, you can actually vote.

Since 2018, unaffiliated voters in Colorado get both major-party primary ballots in the mail. Proposition 108 made it so. You're in the game.

02
But you have to pick a team.

You get both ballots — you can only return one. So you have to choose which party's nominees to influence, even if you don't belong to either. Send both back, neither counts.

03
And the math gets uglier.

Most Colorado races are decided in low turnout primaries with limited competition, not in November.

What it means for you

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More questions

The details matter.

Can independents vote in the Colorado primary?
Yes. Colorado runs a semi-closed primary — unaffiliated voters (often called independents) can vote in primaries without joining a party. Since Proposition 108 passed in 2016, anyone registered as unaffiliated can choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary each cycle. Party-affiliated voters still only get their own party's primary; unaffiliated voters get to pick.
How do independent voters cast their ballot?
If you're registered as unaffiliated, you'll get both major-party ballots in the mail. Look at both. Return one. If you return both, neither counts. You can also vote in person at a voter service and polling center. Either way works.
What is the timeline for Colorado's primary elections?
The 2026 Colorado primary is on June 30. Ballots get mailed by June 8. Return them by mail, drop them in an official drop box, or vote in person through Election Day. Same-day registration is allowed too — you can register or update your info right up until the polls close. Please consult the CO SOS if you have any further questions about the exact process.
What does "semi-closed primary" mean?
It sits between two extremes. In a closed primary, only registered party members can vote in that party's election. In a fully open one, every voter participates regardless of registration. Colorado's semi-closed model lets independents in — but the elections themselves are still organized around separate party primaries. Defenders of the system say it expands access without dissolving the parties' role in picking nominees.
Which states use a fully open "all-candidate" primary system?
A small but growing list. Sometimes called a "nonpartisan blanket primary" — every voter gets the same ballot, every candidate appears together, party affiliation is just a label. California and Washington use a top-two system: the two highest vote-getters advance to the general, even if they're from the same party. Alaska uses top-four plus ranked-choice voting in the general. The shared goal: pull candidates toward broader appeal instead of just rewarding the most partisan base.
Why do some Coloradans support moving toward a more open primary system?
Because the semi-closed model was a real reform, but not the end of the road. Unaffiliated voters can vote — but they still pick between two party-run elections shaped by partisan incentives and activist bases. Advocates for a more open system make a simple argument: taxpayer-funded elections should treat every voter the same. They also argue that more open systems pull candidates toward coalition-building and the political middle, not just toward locking down their base.
How could a fully open primary work in Colorado?
Every voter — Democrat, Republican, independent, third party — would vote on the same primary ballot. The top vote-getters advance to the general, regardless of party. Could be top two. Could be top four. Supporters say it would actually reflect Colorado today, where unaffiliated voters are the largest single share of the electorate. It would also reward candidates focused on broad appeal — not just turning out their base.

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