A party-ballot is a ballot that lists only the candidates and measures from one political party. In states with party primaries, you receive the party-ballot of the party you are registered with, or the one you choose on election day. This keeps primary voting within each party.
A "primary election ballot specific to a particular major political party that lists all partisan offices to be voted on at that primary, and the candidates for those offices who affiliate with that same major political party." Wash. Rev. Code §29A.04.008(6).
Example
In Massachusetts, voters choosing to participate in a primary must select which party ballot they want: Democratic, Republican, or smaller party ballots are printed separately. A voter requesting a Republican party-ballot receives a ballot listing only Republican candidates and questions. A voter wanting to participate in the Democratic primary receives a different party-ballot entirely.
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A "primary election ballot specific to a particular major political party that lists all partisan offices to be voted on at that primary, and the candidates for those offices who affiliate with that same major political party." Wash. Rev. Code §29A.04.008(6).
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Party Ballot. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved September 15, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/party-ballot
Sources
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