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MARYLAND PRIMARIES
Maryland Primaries Today
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In Maryland, citizens who are not affiliated with the Democratic or Republican parties are not allowed to vote in primary elections — even though their tax dollars pay for them.
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It’s Taxation Without Representation
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Maryland’s primaries to elect Democratic and Republican candidates are funded by Maryland taxpayers, not by the parties themselves — costing over $27 million for the 2016 primary election.
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As of April 2025, there are 957,228 unaffiliated voters and 72,267 voters affiliated with smaller political parties — totaling more than one million Marylanders who cannot vote in the primaries they help fund.
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That means one in every four registered voters in Maryland is excluded from voting in the primary elections simply because they chose not to affiliate with the two major parties.
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Many of these voters identify as independent because they do not align with partisan agendas or prefer to vote for candidates over parties.
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Selection Often Takes Place in the Primary Election
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In many Maryland districts, the primary election determines the real winner — making the general election a formality.
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As a result, the voices of nearly 25% of Maryland citizens are suppressed.
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These voters are excluded from the decisive stage of candidate selection unless they affiliate with one of the state-approved political parties.
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Maryland Primaries of the Future
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Open Primaries Lead to More Bipartisanship
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Research shows that candidates in open primaries — including those running for reelection — are more responsive to all constituents and more bipartisan in their approach.
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In closed primaries, candidates tend to ignore unaffiliated voters and focus on partisan bases, which deepens division.
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The League of Women Voters of Maryland adopted a position supporting open primaries in 2019 after a two-year study.
Of the Independents surveyed in Maryland in 2018, 78% agreed that both major parties should open their presidential primaries to unaffiliated voters.
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Did you know?
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Maryland's primaries for electing candidates for the Republican and Democratic parties are paid for by Maryland's taxpaying citizens.
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Because Maryland has closed primaries, taxpaying citizens who are not affiliated with those parties are not allowed to participate in the primary elections for legislative and political positions.
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General elections are a mere formality in many districts in Maryland -- the selection of candidates happens in the primary elections.
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Research indicates that candidates in open primaries, including legislators who are running for reelection, are more likely to respond to their unaffiliated constituents than those who run in closed primaries, and are more likely to be bipartisan in their response.
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The League of Women Voters of Maryland changed from a position supporting closed primaries to a position in support of open primaries in 2018, after a two-year study.
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Our former governor Larry Hogan and former Rep. Connie Morella support open primaries.
Voices from Maryland Voters
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More than 100 Maryland voters have signed our petition calling for open primaries, sharing powerful reasons why change is needed.
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Democrats Say:
“Open Primaries are just plain fair — everyone deserves a vote in the election that really matters.”
“Closed primaries fuel extremism and silence moderate voices.”
“Every eligible resident should be able to vote in all elections — primaries included.”
“We shouldn’t have to affiliate with a party to exercise our constitutional right to vote.”
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Republicans Say:
“All voters should have a say in choosing candidates, not just registered party members.”
“We need the best candidates, not just party favorites.”
“Independent voters deserve a voice — especially since their taxes fund these elections.”
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Independents Say:
“I have no voice in primary elections — and that’s wrong.”
“My tax dollars pay for elections I can’t participate in.”
“Open primaries would let us vote for the person, not the party.”
“Closed primaries silence moderates and reward extremism.”
“Every registered voter should have equal rights at the ballot box.”
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Maryland’s current system excludes one in four voters from the most meaningful part of the election process.
Open primaries would restore fairness, representation, and accountability — giving all Maryland voters a voice in choosing their leaders.