Caucus States 2026

States That Use Caucuses

A small number of states use caucuses instead of primary elections as part of the delegate selection process. In these states, political parties organize in-person meetings rather than relying solely on traditional ballot-based voting.

States that currently use caucuses include Idaho, Iowa, and Wyoming. In these states, party members participate directly in structured meetings to help determine representation at conventions and, in presidential election years, influence the nomination process.

States That Use Both Caucuses and Primaries

Some states use a hybrid approach, meaning they have used both caucuses and primaries at different times or for different political parties. In these states, one party may hold a caucus while another holds a primary, or the state may switch systems depending on the election cycle.

States in this category include Alaska, Hawaii, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, and Utah. For example, Nevada has alternated between caucuses and primaries in recent presidential cycles, while North Dakota’s parties have historically used caucuses for certain nominations.

In these states, the exact format can vary by party and year. As a result, voters should confirm the current system in place before participating in a given election cycle.

States That Use Primaries

Most states use a primary election system rather than a caucus. In a primary, voters cast ballots at polling locations (or by mail, depending on the state), similar to a general election. The process is typically quicker and more accessible than a caucus, since it does not require extended in-person participation or public discussion.

States that use primaries include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

In these states, party nominees are selected through a ballot-based system rather than through caucus meetings, making primaries the dominant method of candidate selection nationwide.