Most people are aware that the general election is when individuals vote for who they want to be President; however, before this election can occur, the final candidates must be selected for the presidential race. The primary elections are held for political parties, mainly Democrats and Republicans, to select the candidate they want to represent their party in the final race. Registered voters of the Democratic and Republican parties are able to vote for who they want to see as their party’s nominee.
To vote in the primaries, an individual must be registered to vote in their area of primary residence as either a Democrat or a Republican. For those who will not be in their state for the date of that state’s primary election, they can elect to vote by absentee ballot. The ballot is typically provided by the state department of the voter’s respective state.
The following dates are tentative and are subject to change. Check in with your home state’s department as the dates listed below approach to ensure that the given date has not changed.
- Alabama March 1
- Alaska Aug. 16
- Arizona Aug. 30
- Arkansas March 1
- California June 7
- Colorado March 1
- Connecticut April 26
- Delaware April 26
- Florida March 15
- Georgia March 1
- Hawaii Aug. 13
- Idaho May 17
- Illinois March 15
- Indiana May 3
- Iowa Feb. 1
- Kansas March 5
- Kentucky
- Democratic Primary-May 17
- Republican Caucus-March 5
- Louisiana March 5
- Maine
- Republican Party Caucus March 5
- Democratic Party Caucus March 6
- Maryland April 26
- Massachusetts March 1
- Michigan March 8
- Minnesota March 1
- Mississippi March 8
- Missouri March 15
- Montana June 7
- Nebraska
- Democratic caucus-March 5
- Republican Primary-May 10
- Nevada
- Democratic Caucus Feb. 20
- Republican Caucus Feb. 23
- New Hampshire Feb. 9
- New Jersey June 7
- New Mexico June 7
- New York April 19
- North Carolina March 15
- North Dakota
- Republican Caucus March 1
- Democratic caucus June 7
- Ohio March 15
- Oklahoma March 1
- Oregon May 17
- Pennsylvania April 26
- Rhode Island Sept. 13
- South Carolina
- Republican Primary Feb. 20
- Democratic Primary Feb. 27
- South Dakota June 7
- Tennessee March 1
- Texas March 1
- Utah March 22
- Vermont March 1
- Virginia March 1
- Washington May 24
- West Virginia May 10
- Wisconsin April 5
- Wyoming April 9
