Understanding Primary Elections
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Primary elections in the United States determine which candidates will appear on the general election ballot in November. Primary
elections and the similar caucus systems are party functions, meaning that in some states Democrats and Republicans may have different
rules for their primaries.
The Primary Election
Primaries are different from state to state, but the ending result is usually the same: People choose the candidate that best represents
them and their party's interests. In the early twentieth century, a movement was introduced that would give the citizens more freedom to
select the candidate they want, and not have to follow the lead of someone else or the party's. Each individual (registered) voter now has
the ability to vote during the primary using a secret ballot, without having his choice made public.
In America, there are two types of primaries: open and closed. Each of these two types chooses who's eligible to vote in the primaries. In a
closed primary, a voter may only vote for the party in which he is affiliated. For example, if you're a registered Republican voter, you are
only allowed to vote in the Republican Primary; if you're a registered Democrat, you are only allowed to vote in the Democrat Primary. In
an open primary, however, each voter can vote in either primary regardless of his party affiliation. Even with this, a voter cannot vote in
both primaries, though. Another, but not as popular, method is called the blanket primary. This allows all registered voters to participate in
all primaries if they wish.
Open and Closed Primaries
Most states have either open or closed primaries. In open primaries, any registered voter may vote in either primary. In closed primaries,
voters may only vote in their party's primaries. Additionally, several states use a caucus system for one or both parties in which party
members meet to select their candidates. Idaho Democrats have open caucuses, while Minnesota has open caucuses for both parties.
Hybrid Systems
Some states' election rules do not fit neatly into the open/closed primary model. Ohio technically has a closed primary, but voters may
declare or change their party affiliation on Primary Election Day. In New Hampshire and North Carolina, Democrats and Republicans must
vote in their primaries, but independents may vote in either one.
Top Two Systems
In most primary election systems, the candidate with the most votes in each party's primary gets on the general election ballot. However,
as of 2010, Washington State and Louisiana use a "top-two" system and California's Proposition 14, passed in 2010, may institute the
system there if it survives a court challenge. In a "top two" primary, the candidates with the most votes appear on the general election
ballot regardless of party.
The Caucus
The caucus is the original way for selecting candidates, but has declined more and more since the primary was first conducted in the 1900s.
The states that still decide to hold caucuses are required to announce the date, time, as well as the location of the meeting. Those voters
that are registered with the respective party are generally the only ones allowed to attend. The caucuses serve a purpose; the delegates
who will represent their state at the convention are chosen here and then support their state's interests. At this meeting, all prospective
delegates are either committed or uncommitted to a certain candidate. This process can take some time, but at the end of the meeting the
respective delegates are chosen and thus will represent their state at the National Party Convention.
The National Party Convention
Before a general election can take place, there needs to be a selection process conducted to see which candidate will represent the
respective parties. This is called a convention (such as the Republican National Convention) and is held by each of the two major parties
every four years. During this process, each individual state chooses delegates which then are sent to the convention. All delegates are
apportioned by their respective state's representation, and extra delegates are only allowed to attend if their state had a majority vote for
their party in recent elections. Each state has its own rules for choosing delegates (and at times, it can be different each year). Delegates
are chosen to attend the convention by two processes: the caucus and the primary. At the National Party Conventions, the nominees
connect and share their beliefs, thoughts and experiences with the American people, rallying the support of its prospective voters.
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1. What is a primary election? What is the goal of primary elections?
2. Explain a closed primary.
3. Explain an open primary.
4. What type of primary does Ohio use? Explain.
5. Explain the top-two system. What states use this system?
6. What happens at a caucus?
7. What happens at the National Party Conventions?
8. What is the goal of the National Party Conventions?