NewsWLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)August 14, 2026Miami-Dade
Advocates and Florida Democratic Party consider opening primary elections to independent voters
Advocacy groups and the Florida Democratic Party are exploring ways to allow voters registered as No Party Affiliation (NPA) to participate in primary elections, which are currently restricted to party members. The Florida Democratic Party is evaluating potential legal and legislative paths to open its primaries, despite threats of litigation from the Republican Party of Florida.
Read the full story at WLRN — South Florida NPR (Government & Politics)Why It Matters
Approximately 4 million Florida voters, or 28% of the electorate, are currently excluded from participating in primary elections because they are not registered with a major political party.
Key Facts
- Florida is one of only 10 states with a completely closed primary election system.
- Approximately 4 million Florida voters (28% of the electorate) are registered as No Party Affiliation (NPA) and cannot vote in closed primaries.
- The Florida Democratic Party is considering opening its primary system to independent voters after the current election cycle.
- The Republican Party of Florida has stated it will sue if the Democratic Party attempts to unilaterally open its primaries.
- Open Primaries is seeking a legislative sponsor for an open primary bill in the Florida Legislature for next year.
- An online survey conducted by Florida Open Primaries found that 90% of Democrats and independents support adopting open primaries.
- Approximately 10,000 Americans change their voter registration to independent every week.
- Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried stated there is 'gray area' in state statute regarding whether a party can independently open its primary.
Who's Mentioned
other600“Number of survey responses from Democrats and independents”personVilla Johnson“League of Women Voters of Sarasota County representative”personJohn Marvin“State coordinator for Florida Open Primaries”personNikki Fried“Chair of the Florida Democratic Party”organizationU.S. Election Assistance Commission“Federal agency tracking election systems”other501“Reference to 501(c)(3) tax status”other10“Number of states with completely closed primary systems”organizationOpen Primaries“Advocacy group”personMichael Moline“Editor of Florida Phoenix”organizationFlorida Phoenix“News outlet”organizationRepublican Party of Florida“Political party opposing potential primary changes”organizationFlorida Democratic Party“Political party considering primary reform”other10,000“Number of Americans changing registration to independent weekly”personJohn Opdycke“President of Open Primaries”