How to change outline color on vector image

[jbrisindi]

Hey all. Complete Illustrator newb here and sorry if this is an easy question. I have watched videos regarding it, and still cannot figure it out.

Im looking to remove the outer box of the image here:

However I want to keep the white within the state and the black outline of course.

Or is there a way to achieve something like this:

However** make the outline white with black background??

Thank you all

[Doug A Roberts]

1. what do you mean by 'outer box'?

2. what is it you have here? a vector path, or something else?

[jbrisindi]

Its a vector. When I got the image online it was outlined in black with white background both inside the outline and around the image.

After watching a video I got this:

I positioned it like that myself. But you see, all of the white is removed. I want to remove the white around the state, all while keeping the white in the state

[SJRiegel · Accepted solution]

I think the easiest way would be to turn it into a Live Paint Object, then use the Live Paint Bucket to fill the center with white.

[jbrisindi]

Lifesavers! Thanks to all