Ms. Felix explained open primary with private party affiliation. The voter doesn t have to be registered with a party to pick a party ballot. Overview of primary elections in other states. Mrs. Fenumiai explained that the closed primary with independents excluded is currently used in 14 states. Closed primary with independents included is also used in 14 states.
States have varied rules regarding independent participation.
Eleven states have an open primary with public declaration, a system where the voter selects one party ballot and it is publicly recorded which ballot they selected. Nine states have an open primary with private declaration, the voter takes both party ballots into the polling booth and chooses privately. There are two other primary methods that no states use - no major party primary and nonpartisan primary. Questions and comments from Task Force members. Mr. McAlpine noted that the emergency regulations enacted last year were similar to what was done in 1992.