Primary election: Difference between revisions

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A '''primary election''' is one in which a [[political party]] selects a candidate for a later election by all registered voters in that jurisdiction (''nominating primary''). Primaries are sometimes open only to registered members of that party, and sometimes open to all voters. In open primaries, voters must typically choose only one primary to participate in that election cycle. Louisiana, U.S.A. is an exception. Until 2004 in the state of Washington, U.S.A., this was also not the case, and voters were able to vote in all parties' primaries on the same ballot, though not for more than one candidate per office. ~~This "[[blanket primary]]" was struck down by the United States Supreme Court as violating the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of assembly.~~

A '''primary election''' is one in which a [[political party]] selects a candidate for a later election by all registered voters in that jurisdiction (''nominating primary''). Primaries are sometimes open only to registered members of that party, and sometimes open to all voters. In open primaries, voters must typically choose only one primary to participate in that election cycle. Louisiana, U.S.A. is an exception. Until 2004 in the state of Washington, U.S.A., this was also not the case, and voters were able to vote in all parties' primaries on the same ballot, though not for more than one candidate per office.

Primaries can also be used in nonpartisan elections to reduce the set of candidates that go on to the general election (''qualifying primary''). (In the U.S. many city, county and school board elections are nonpartisan.) Generally twice as many candidate pass the primary as can win in the general election, so a single seat election primary would allow the top two primary candidates to participate in the general election following.

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* ''Closed.'' Voters may only vote in a primary if they are registered members of that party.

* ''Semi-open.'' Voters registered with a party may only vote in the primary of their party. Independents may choose which primary to vote in at the voting booth.

* ''Blanket~~.''~~ Also called a "jungle primary". ~~No longer in use, allowed~~ voters to vote in either primary, switching party primaries with each office (Ex. Republican Presidential primary, Democratic Gubernatorial Primary, Republican Congressional Primary).

* [[Blanket primary]] - Also called a "jungle primary". Allows voters to vote in either primary, switching party primaries with each office (Ex. Republican Presidential primary, Democratic Gubernatorial Primary, Republican Congressional Primary).

* ''Run-off.'' If no candidate receives a majority (50%) the top two candidates may face-off in a [[Runoff voting|run-off]] election.