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Arizona’s 2026 Elections

AARP

Published May 01, 2026

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Key Arizona Elections

More than one in three voters in Arizona is registered as non‑party affiliated, sometimes called “independent” voters. As of January 2026, about 34% of Arizona voters are registered as having no party affiliation, making this the largest single group of voters in the state.

Many non‑party affiliated voters do not realize that Arizona law allows them to vote in primary elections. Arizona has a semi‑open primary system, which means voters who are not registered with a political party may still participate by choosing one party’s ballot (usually Democratic or Republican) for that election.
Selecting a party ballot does not change a voter’s registration. A voter remains non‑party affiliated and can choose a different party’s ballot in a future primary if they wish.
This is important because in many Arizona districts, primary elections are highly competitive, and the winner of a primary often goes on to win the general election. When non‑party affiliated voters participate, they have a voice in deciding which candidates appear on the general election ballot.
There is one key exception: Presidential Preference Elections. To vote in a presidential primary, voters must be registered with the party holding that primary.

Recent confusion has come from a political organization formerly known as the No Labels Party of Arizona. In late 2025, that party sought to change its name to the Arizona Independent Party, which raised concerns because many voters use the word “independent” to mean not affiliated with any party.
In March 2026, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled that the name change was invalid, finding that the Secretary of State did not have the authority to approve it. As a result, the organization must continue to operate under the No Labels Party name for now.
This decision means that non‑party affiliated voters are not automatically part of any political party, including No Labels. Being non‑party affiliated remains a separate voter registration choice recognized by Arizona law.