Each of the two major parties must pick one candidate for President. Since the 1970s, voters in each state have done most of the choosing, through primaries and caucuses that award delegates.
| Method | How it works |
|---|---|
| Closed primary | only voters registered with the party may vote in its primary |
| Open primary | any registered voter may choose either party's primary ballot (but only one) |
| Semi-closed primary | party members plus unaffiliated voters may vote |
| Caucus | party members meet in local gatherings, discuss and vote, often in person at a set time |
Why it works
States hold primaries and caucuses from about January to June of the election year. Each state's result awards delegates to the candidates (by the party's rules: some states give all to the winner, others divide them). In the summer, each party holds a national convention, where the delegates formally nominate the candidate, who names a running mate, and the party adopts a platform. Then comes the general election in November, held by federal law on the Tuesday after the first Monday. Supporters of primaries say they give ordinary voters the choice; critics say low-turnout primaries reward candidates who appeal to the most committed partisans. The same steps choose nominees for Congress and state offices, mostly through state primaries.
Key idea
A primary or caucus picks a party's candidate by awarding delegates; closed primaries admit only party members, open primaries any registered voter; delegates nominate at the national convention; the general election in November picks the officeholder.
Worked example: Can she vote in it?
Kim is registered as an independent. Her state holds a closed primary. Can she vote in the Democratic or Republican presidential primary?
- A closed primary admits only voters registered with that party.
- Kim belongs to neither.
Answer: No (in a semi-closed or open primary she could).
Worked example: Primary or general?
In March, Republican voters in a state choose among four Republican candidates. Is that the election that decides who becomes President?
- Choosing among one party's candidates is a primary.
- The winner of the whole office is decided in the November general election.
Answer: No; it is a primary.
Common mistake
Confusing primary and general elections. A primary picks a party's candidate; the general election in November picks the officeholder from among the parties' nominees. Check: are the candidates all from one party?