Blue Voters Red Voters
VISION

The Primary Problem

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

We’ve coined this The Primary Problem.

THe Primary Problem Explained
The Problem

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
The Problem

So far, in 2024 primaries, 25% of the U.S. House has been elected by just 3% 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.

Follow along this primary season to track just how few Americans are electing Congress.

2022 Results
2022 Results

3%

of U.S.
Voters
7.7M / 260M Voting Age Americans

25%

of U.S.
HOUSE
107 / 435 Seats in the U.S. House
Elected in a Primary
Not Yet Elected
The SOlution

Nonpartisan Primaries

To combat uncompetitive, unrepresentative elections that fuel polarization, states should replace partisan primaries with nonpartisan primaries. All candidates run in the same primary — in which all voters can participate — and the top finishers advance to the general election. Whoever earns majority support wins.

The First Frontier

Alaska Map

In 2022, Alaska made history by implementing top-four nonpartisan primaries and instant runoff general elections: an innovative system that gives greater choice and voice to voters, and produces better representation and political incentives. The power in the reform lies in not just who is elected, but how they're elected.

Case Study: Alaska
Alaska Map

The Primary Solution in Alaska

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The Primary Solution in Alaska

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The Primary Solution in Alaska

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The Status of Primaries

Four states are the furthest along the road to solving the Primary Problem: Alaska, California, Louisiana, and Washington have replaced partisan primaries with nonpartisan primaries.

In states that hold nonpartisan primaries, turnout and electoral competition regularly exceed the national average. See below for the primary system in each state.

News & Analysis

The Latest Stories

The latest Unite America press hits, analysis, explainers, partner storytelling, and more.

Primary Solution Book

Order The Primary Solution today!

From Unite America’s executive director, Nick Troiano, The Primary Solution describes how to fix the biggest solvable problem in American politics today: partisan primaries.

The Primary Solution is available for order at Simon & Schuster. Get your copy today! All proceeds benefit Unite America.

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