THE PROBLEM

We have a Primary Problem.

Election Day 2026 is more than a year away, but 90% of U.S. House and 80% of U.S. Senate races are already decided.

Source: Cook Political Report
Learn how Cook measures competitiveness in the U.S. House.
Note: Depending on race dynamics, Cook's ratings can change. This map will be updated accordingly.

House Seats Data Visualization
House seats already decided
202
Safe Republican
41
Competitive
192
Safe Democrat
How many House seats have been decided in your state?

Source: Cook Political Report
Learn how Cook measures competitiveness in the U.S. Senate.
Note: Depending on race dynamics, Cook's ratings can change. This map will be updated accordingly.

Senate Seats Data Visualization
Senate seats already decided
20
Safe Republican
6
Competitive
9
Safe Democrat
Has your state's Senate race already been decided?
Note: some states not included because there are no Senate races in that state.

In 2022, 83% of the U.S. House was elected by just 8% of Americans.

Despite tens of millions of voters casting ballots in the 2022 general election, a staggering 359 of 435 U.S. House seats were effectively decided months before the general election by just 8% of voters nationwide.

8%

of U.S.
Voters
20M / 257M Voting Age Americans

83%

of U.S.
HOUSE
359 / 435 Seats in the U.S. House
Decided in a Primary
Decided in the General Election

In the 2024 primaries, 87% of the U.S. House was elected by just 7% of Americans.

Despite the fact that over 100 million Americans will likely vote in the 2024 general election, a staggering number of U.S. Representatives will have already been effectively elected in low turnout primaries.

Read Unite America Institute's full analysis of the 2024 Primary Problem.

2022 Results
2022 Results

7%

of U.S. Voters
18.1M / 260M Voting Age Americans

87%

of U.S. HOUSE
380 / 435 Seats in the U.S. House
Elected in a Primary
Elected in the General

More than 100 million Americans will likely vote in the 2026 general election, but we estimate only 15% of voters will cast a meaningful vote in deciding who gets elected. Most races will be decided in low turnout primaries.

This is the Primary Problem.

The Primary Problem leads to:

Political gridlock - broken capitol building

POLITICAL
GRIDLOCK

Noncompetive elections - voting box with graphs

FEWER MEANINGFUL
VOTES

A bullhorn with a loud noise projection

UNREPRESENTATIVE
CANDIDATES

thumbs down

WORSE OUTCOMES 
FOR AMERICANS

So, What's the Solution?

We can solve The Primary Problem with Open, All-Candidate Primaries. Unite America and local leaders are at the forefront of this monumental shift in American democracy.

WHAT ARE OPEN, ALL CANDIDATE PRIMARIES?

Instead of a typical party primary where you vote in either the Democrat or Republican party's primary, open, all-candidate primaries mean that there is one ballot with all candidates on it — from all political parties —  and every voter can participate. The top finishers advance with no party gatekeeping.

Research shows that open, all-candidate primaries lead to better choices, a fairer system, and more accountability in Congress.

Wood box with cyan ballot coming out of it, a paddle lock on the front, and the word VOTE on the side
Tan flying ballot
Red flying ballot
Cyan flying ballot
Blue flying ballot
The solution

Open, all-candidate primaries are reshaping elections in states across the country. 

Alaska

Approved by voters in 2020 and used for the first time in 2022, Alaska’s new election system pairs a top-four primary with an instant runoff general election. Under the new system, Alaska had the highest share of eligible voters (35%) who cast meaningful votes to elect its state house, nearly three times the national average.

California

In 2010, a bipartisan coalition of reformers championed Proposition 14, a California ballot initiative to adopt the top-two model under use in Washington State. Proposition 14 passed with 54% support from voters and was implemented in 2012. Since 2010, Californians’ approval of state government has soared by 20 points.

Louisiana

Since 1975, Louisiana has used an open, all-candidate primary where every voter could participate on the same ballot, with a runoff if no one won a majority. In 2026, the state will return to party primaries for some offices—limiting participation and reintroducing the Primary Problem.

Nebraska

Since 1936, Nebraska has used an open, all-candidate primary for its nonpartisan legislature, giving every voter the same ballot regardless of party. The system has encouraged broader representation and reduced the influence of party extremes.

Washington

In 2004, Washington voters approved Initiative 872 to establish a top-two primary system. Top-two voting has provided Washington citizens with more options in primary elections, generating more competition and giving them more say in outcomes.

TAKE ACTION

Vote in Primaries

Make Your Voice Count When It Matters

Most people think elections are decided in November—but in reality, many races are effectively settled months before, during the primaries. If you skip that step, you’re often missing your only real chance to shape who represents you.

When more people participate in primaries, candidates must appeal to a broader range of voters—not just the most partisan few. Your ballot carries more weight in these low-turnout contests, and casting it helps ensure the options in November better reflect your community.

Take Action

Check your primary date and make a plan to vote.
Encourage friends and family to join you—primaries aren’t extra, they’re essential.
Support reforms like open primaries that give every voter an equal voice.
EagleRed StarsBlue Background

Unite America is winning campaigns and leading a national movement on primary reform.

While there are many forces fueling polarization and dysfunction in America, we are focused on addressing the biggest, solvable problem: partisan primaries.

Writing about the Primary Problem? Contact us at press@uniteamerica.org.

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