Your Vote.
Your Choice.
No Matter the Party.
One Primary Ballot.
All Candidates. Every Voter.
Exploring a future where voters can consider qualifying candidates for each office without choosing one political party’s primary ballot first.
Our Mission →Explore the Proposal →Inform Voters
Clear information on how Texas primaries work today.
Spark Conversations
Respectful dialogue across political perspectives.
Explore Solutions
Examine unified primary models and their tradeoffs.
Empower Communities
Helping people understand and shape election policy.
NOT PARTIES
A Voter’s Freedom to Choose
Ballot Without Borders is an independent, nonpartisan initiative rooted in a simple principle: voters deserve a meaningful voice in how candidates are selected.
Beginning in Collin County, Texas, we aim to educate voters, encourage civic dialogue, and advocate for examining primary election reforms that increase voter choice while protecting fair and transparent elections.
Understand the Rules →A Unified, Nonpartisan Primary Ballot
This is a proposed reform, not the current Texas system. The vision is to allow voters to evaluate candidates for each office without being confined to one party's primary ballot.
All Candidates
Qualifying candidates from different parties appear on a shared primary ballot.
Your Choice
Voters select one candidate for each office, regardless of party.
Clear Rules
Publicly defined criteria determine which candidates advance.
Equal Access
Eligible voters can participate in the same primary process.
How Texas Primaries Work — and What Could Change
It matters to distinguish the law as it exists from the ideas this initiative hopes to examine.
Choose One Party’s Primary
- Voters do not register by party when they register to vote in Texas.
- Eligible voters may choose which party’s primary to vote in, unless already affiliated that year.
- Voters may not participate in both Democratic and Republican primaries in the same voting year.
- Voting in one party’s primary limits eligibility for the other party’s primary runoff that year.
One Shared Primary Ballot
- A single ballot lists all qualifying candidates for offices covered by the new system.
- Voters may choose one candidate per office without a party-ballot restriction.
- A transparent advancement rule would determine who reaches the general election.
- Lawmakers would need to address candidate eligibility, party nomination rights, and implementation.
This approach would require changes to Texas election law. The precise advancement method has not yet been selected.
“The ballot should reflect the voter’s convictions, not require allegiance to a political party.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I currently vote in both parties’ Texas primaries?
No. Under current Texas rules, voters may not participate in both parties' primaries in the same voting year.
Do I have to register as a Democrat or Republican to vote in a primary?
No. Texans do not register to vote by party. Participation in a party primary creates party affiliation for that calendar year.
Does this proposal apply to city council and school board elections?
Many municipal and school board contests are already nonpartisan. This initiative focuses on partisan primary elections and should not be confused with every local election.
How would a unified primary decide who advances?
That policy has not been finalized. Models could include top-two or top-four advancement, but each has different effects and tradeoffs. This site promotes informed discussion rather than presenting an incomplete idea as settled law.
Is Ballot Without Borders affiliated with a political party?
No. This site presents an independent, nonpartisan voter-choice initiative. It is not a government election office.
Official Voter Resources
For election dates, polling locations, registration, and legal requirements, always confirm directly with official election authorities.
Your Vote Belongs to You.
Interested in learning more about Texas primary reform, discussing alternatives, or helping shape this initiative? Send a message to start the conversation.
This opens your email app with a prepared message. No information is collected or saved by this site.