What is the fundamental purpose of a primary election?

A primary election serves as a preliminary election held to determine which candidates will advance to the main general election for a particular office. In partisan primaries, a political party selects its nominee.

How do partisan and nonpartisan primaries differ?

In a partisan primary, a political party selects its candidate. In contrast, a nonpartisan primary involves candidates running without regard to party affiliation, often to narrow the field before the general election.

What is a semi-closed or semi-open primary system?

A semi-closed or semi-open primary allows registered party members to vote only in their own party's primary. However, it also permits unaffiliated or independent voters to choose which party's primary they wish to participate in, either privately or publicly on election day.

What is a nonpartisan blanket primary, and how does the 'top-two' variant function?

In a nonpartisan blanket primary, all candidates appear on the same ballot, and the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of their party affiliation. This is often referred to as a 'top-two primary'.

What is a unified primary, and what voting method does it employ?

A unified primary, also known as a 'top-two approval primary,' features all candidates on a single ballot. Unlike other top-two systems, it utilizes approval voting, allowing voters to support any number of candidates.

What historical movement in the United States led to the development of primary elections?

The origins of primary elections in the United States can be traced back to the progressive movement. This movement aimed to shift the power of candidate nomination from party leaders directly to the voters.

Besides primaries, what other methods do political parties use to select candidates?

Political parties can also select candidates through methods such as caucuses, internal selection by a party body like a convention or party congress, direct nomination by the party leader, or nomination meetings.

How do primary elections function in countries with a parliamentary system?

In parliamentary systems, parties often hold leadership elections, which are similar to primaries. The party leader typically becomes the head of government if their party wins a majority, making these leadership elections effectively a selection of the party's candidate for prime minister.

What is the 'partisan two-round system' as mentioned in the context of primaries?

The 'partisan two-round system' describes a situation where first-past-the-post voting is used for both the primary and general elections. It is noted for its similarity to two-round (runoff) systems, especially in two-party contexts.

What was the significance of the McGovern-Fraser Commission regarding presidential nominations?

Following controversy in 1968, the McGovern-Fraser Commission was established by the Democratic Party. Its recommendations led to a requirement for states to hold primaries, fundamentally changing how presidential candidates were nominated.

What is 'party raiding' in the context of open primaries?

Party raiding occurs when voters from one political party cross over to vote in the primary of another party. The goal is often to influence the nomination process by helping to select a weaker opponent for their own party's candidate in the general election.

How did 'white primaries' function in the Southern United States, and when were they declared unconstitutional?

In the Southern United States, primaries were initially run by party officials rather than the government, allowing them to exclude African American voters. These 'white primaries' were declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1944 case of Smith v. Allwright.

What is the criticism regarding the early states in the U.S. presidential primary schedule?

A common criticism is that the early primaries in states like Iowa and New Hampshire give disproportionate influence to a few states. This can build momentum for certain candidates and eliminate others before the majority of the country has had a chance to vote.

What is the counterargument to the criticism of early presidential primary states?

The counterargument suggests that subjecting candidates to the scrutiny of these early states helps to weed out individuals who may be unfit for office before the process becomes national.

How do closed primaries affect candidates' campaign strategies compared to open primaries?

In closed systems, candidates tend to focus on appealing to dedicated party members, who often hold more extreme ideological views. In contrast, candidates in open systems might need to appeal to a broader, more moderate electorate, especially for the general election, aligning with the median voter theorem.

How are primaries typically organized in European countries compared to the United States?

In Europe, primaries are generally organized by the political parties themselves, rather than by the public administration. Legislation is often less involved, though government cooperation might be needed for open primaries.

What is the primary reason for parties in European parliamentary democracies to hold leadership elections or primaries?

The primary reason is that the head of government in most European parliamentary democracies is typically the leader of the majority party in parliament. Therefore, selecting a party leader through a primary is often equivalent to selecting the candidate for head of government.

Which French political party organized the first open primary in France, and when?

The Socialist Party of France organized the first open primary in France in October 2011, inspired by the 2008 U.S. presidential primaries.

How did the Lisbon Treaty influence the process of selecting candidates for the European Commission Presidency?

The Lisbon Treaty mandates that the outcome of European Parliament elections must be considered when selecting the President of the European Commission. This has encouraged European political parties to designate their candidates for this role, often through primaries, to inform voters.

What is the 'jungle primary' system, and where has it been notably used?

The 'jungle primary' is a variant of the nonpartisan blanket primary where all candidates appear on the same ballot, and the top two advance to the general election regardless of party. Louisiana has famously used this system, nicknamed the 'jungle primary,' since the 1980s, and California adopted a similar 'top-two primary' in 2010.

What is the 'sore loser law' in relation to primary elections?

A 'sore loser law' is a regulation that prevents a candidate who lost a primary election from subsequently running as an independent candidate in the general election.

What role do 'leadership elections' play in Canadian political parties?

Leadership elections in Canadian political parties are crucial as the party leader typically becomes Prime Minister or Premier if their party wins a majority. These elections are thus seen as selecting the party's de facto candidate for the highest executive office.

How have Canadian political parties changed their methods for selecting party leaders over time?

Historically, Canadian parties used delegated leadership conventions. More recently, major federal parties have shifted towards direct elections where all party members can vote, often using instant-runoff voting (IRV).

What is the typical process for selecting local candidates in Canadian federal electoral districts?

Local riding associations typically hold nomination meetings where party members vote for their preferred candidate, often using an exhaustive ballot system until a candidate secures a majority.

What is the significance of Iowa and New Hampshire in the U.S. presidential primary calendar?

Iowa holds the first presidential caucus, and New Hampshire holds the first presidential primary. These early contests often provide crucial momentum for candidates and can significantly shape the outcome of the nomination race.

What is the 'spoiler effect' in electoral systems, and how might primaries mitigate it?

The 'spoiler effect' occurs when a third-party candidate draws votes away from a major candidate, potentially causing that major candidate to lose. Primaries can help mitigate this by allowing parties to select and unite behind a single, strongest candidate before the general election.

What is the 'no-show paradox' in the context of voting systems?

The 'no-show paradox' refers to a situation where a voter's preference for a candidate might change, or a candidate might win or lose, simply because some voters chose not to participate in the election. This paradox can highlight potential instabilities in certain voting methods.

How did the 1968 Democratic National Convention influence the shift towards presidential primaries?

The controversy surrounding Hubert Humphrey winning the Democratic nomination in 1968 without competing in state primaries led to the creation of the McGovern-Fraser Commission. This commission recommended, and the party subsequently adopted, rules requiring states to hold primaries, thus reducing reliance on party conventions.

What is the 'median voter theorem' and how does it relate to candidate strategy in different primary systems?

The median voter theorem suggests that in a two-party system, candidates will converge towards the political center to capture the median voter's support. This theorem is relevant to how candidates might shift their strategies between closed primaries (appealing to party bases) and general elections (appealing to a broader electorate).

What is 'strategic voting' in the context of primaries?

Strategic voting involves voters casting their ballot not for their most preferred candidate, but for a candidate they believe is more likely to win or to prevent a less desirable candidate from winning. This can occur in nonpartisan primaries where voters might support a weaker candidate to influence the general election outcome.

What is the 'center squeeze' paradox in voting theory?

The 'center squeeze' is a paradox where a centrist candidate can be disadvantaged by the presence of two ideologically similar candidates who split the centrist vote, potentially allowing a more extreme candidate to win.

What are Arrow's Impossibility Theorem and Condorcet's Paradox in social choice theory?

Arrow's Impossibility Theorem demonstrates that no ranked voting system can satisfy a specific set of desirable fairness criteria simultaneously. Condorcet's Paradox illustrates how collective preferences can be cyclical, leading to a situation where no single candidate can win a majority against all others in pairwise comparisons.

What is the 'tyranny of the majority' in the context of voting?

The 'tyranny of the majority' refers to a situation where a majority group, through democratic processes, can impose its will on a minority group, potentially infringing upon their rights or interests.

How do primaries in Russia differ from those in the United States, particularly regarding party control?

In Russia, primaries, such as those held by United Russia, have often been criticized for being non-binding or having their results ignored by party leadership. Candidates for primaries are frequently selected by committees, and the process is not always open to all citizens, unlike the more public administration-driven primaries in the U.S.

What was the significance of the 2020 Hong Kong pro-democracy primaries?

The 2020 Hong Kong pro-democracy primaries were held to select candidates for the Legislative Council election. They aimed to consolidate the opposition vote and demonstrate the level of public support for democratic candidates.

What is the 'exhaustive ballot' system, and where is it commonly used in candidate selection?

An exhaustive ballot is a voting method where, if no candidate receives a majority in the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and subsequent ballots are held until one candidate achieves a majority. This system is commonly used in Canadian political parties for selecting local candidates and party leaders.

What is the 'sincere favorite criterion' in voting theory?

The 'sincere favorite criterion' suggests that a voting system should ideally allow voters to express their true preferences without fear of negative consequences, such as their vote inadvertently helping a less preferred candidate win (related to 'lesser evil voting').

What is 'truncation' in the context of voting strategy?

Truncation, in voting strategy, refers to a voter not ranking all candidates on a ballot, often to avoid 'wasting' their vote on a candidate perceived as having no chance of winning.

What is the 'wasted vote' concept in electoral systems?

A 'wasted vote' is a vote cast for a candidate who is unlikely to win or for a candidate who has already secured enough votes to win. In some electoral systems, votes for losing candidates or votes beyond what's needed for a winner do not contribute to the final outcome.

What is the 'independence of clones' paradox in voting?

The 'independence of clones' paradox occurs when the introduction of an identical or near-identical candidate (a 'clone') can change the outcome of an election, even though the clone should ideally not affect the relative ranking of the original candidates.

What is the 'Condorcet winner criterion' in voting systems?

The Condorcet winner criterion states that if a candidate is preferred by a majority over every other candidate in pairwise comparisons, that candidate should win the election. Systems that fail this criterion might not elect the Condorcet winner.

What is the 'best-is-worst paradox' in voting?

The 'best-is-worst paradox' describes a situation where a voter's preferred candidate might win if the voter strategically ranks them lower, or conversely, a voter's least preferred candidate might win if the voter ranks them higher.

What is the 'multiple districts paradox' in electoral systems?

The 'multiple districts paradox' occurs when a candidate can win a majority of votes within each individual district but lose the overall election when the district results are aggregated, or vice versa, depending on the electoral system's rules.

What is the primary goal of the 'median voter theorem' in political science?

The median voter theorem posits that in a two-party system, candidates will tend to adopt policies that are close to the preferences of the median voter to maximize their chances of winning an election.

What is 'liquid democracy' as mentioned in the context of electoral systems?

Liquid democracy is a hybrid electoral system that combines elements of direct democracy and representative democracy. It allows voters to either vote directly on issues or delegate their vote to a trusted representative, who can then vote on their behalf.

What is the 'Gibbard's theorem' in social choice theory?

Gibbard's theorem states that for voting systems with three or more options, any system that is not dictatorial must be susceptible to strategic voting, meaning voters can benefit by misrepresenting their preferences.

What is the 'McKelvey–Schofield chaos theorem'?

The McKelvey–Schofield chaos theorem suggests that in spatial voting models with three or more alternatives, there is often no stable majority winner, and the outcome can depend heavily on the order in which alternatives are considered.

What is the 'tyranny of the majority' and how does it relate to minority rights?

The 'tyranny of the majority' describes a scenario where a dominant group, through democratic means, can impose its will upon minority groups, potentially disregarding or infringing upon their rights and interests.

What is the purpose of a 'sore loser law' in relation to primary elections?

A sore loser law prevents a candidate who lost a primary election from subsequently running as an independent or third-party candidate in the general election, aiming to maintain the integrity of the party nomination process.

How did the progressive movement influence the adoption of primary elections in the United States?

The progressive movement advocated for direct primaries as a way to democratize the candidate selection process, moving power away from party bosses and towards the general electorate.

Primary Election Wiki: The Electoral Crucible: Navigating Primary Elections

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Defining Primary Elections

Core Function

Primary elections, or 'primaries', are foundational electoral events designed to narrow the field of candidates before a general election. They serve as a critical mechanism for political parties to select their official nominees who will subsequently compete for public office.

Partisan vs. Nonpartisan

Primarily, primaries are categorized by their partisan nature. In a partisan primary, a specific political party selects its candidate. Conversely, nonpartisan primaries feature all candidates running together, advancing regardless of party affiliation, often with the top two vote-getters proceeding to the general election.

Historical Roots

The genesis of primary elections in the United States is deeply intertwined with the progressive movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This reformist era sought to democratize candidate selection, shifting power away from entrenched party bosses and towards the broader electorate.

Classifying Primary Systems

Closed Primary

In a closed primary, only registered members of a specific political party are permitted to vote in that party's primary election. This system emphasizes party loyalty and aims to prevent external interference, though it excludes independent voters.

Open Primary

An open primary allows any registered voter to participate in any party's primary, regardless of their own party affiliation. Voters may be required to express support for the party's values or contribute to primary costs. This system can increase participation but also raises concerns about 'party raiding'.

Semi-Closed/Semi-Open

These hybrid systems permit registered party members to vote within their party. However, they also allow unaffiliated or independent voters to choose which party's primary they wish to participate in, either by declaring their choice privately or publicly on election day.

Nonpartisan Blanket Primary

Under this model, all candidates appear on a single ballot, and voters can select any candidate. The top two vote-getters, irrespective of party, advance to the general election. This system often aims to reduce partisan influence and encourage broader appeal.

Evolution of Primaries

Progressive Era Reforms

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a significant push for direct primaries, championed by figures like Robert M. La Follette. This movement aimed to wrest candidate nomination control from party elites and empower the general populace, fundamentally altering the nomination process.

Presidential Nominations

Historically, presidential nominations were largely determined by party conventions. However, following the controversial 1968 Democratic nomination, reforms led to increased reliance on state-run primaries, shifting significant power to voters in early-voting states.

Pre-1970s: Party conventions dominated presidential nominations.
1968 Democratic Convention: Hubert Humphrey secured the nomination without competing in state primaries, sparking reform efforts.
McGovern-Fraser Commission: Led to increased state-level primaries and caucuses, giving voters more direct influence.
Modern Era: Early states like Iowa and New Hampshire gain significant influence, shaping candidate momentum.

Impact on Politics

Research suggests primaries can influence political polarization and voter turnout. While intended to empower moderates, some studies indicate that nonpartisan primaries may not always reduce ideological divergence and can sometimes lead to lower participation or increased voter confusion.

Primaries in the United States

Federal, State, and Local

In the U.S., primaries are integral to selecting candidates for all levels of government. They are organized by state administrations, serving as the initial stage for voters to nominate their parties' standard-bearers for legislative, executive, and local offices.

Early State Influence

The sequence of primaries, particularly those in Iowa (caucus) and New Hampshire (primary), holds considerable sway. These early contests often provide crucial momentum, media attention, and fundraising advantages, significantly impacting a candidate's viability.

Legal Challenges and Reforms

The structure and rules of primaries have faced legal scrutiny. For instance, the constitutionality of blanket primaries was challenged, leading to reforms like California's "Top Two" system. These changes aim to balance party autonomy with broader voter access and electoral fairness.

Party Raiding: A concern in open primaries where voters from one party strategically vote in another's primary to nominate a weaker opponent.
Top-Two Primaries: Systems like California's allow the two candidates with the most votes to advance, regardless of party, potentially leading to intra-party general elections.
Voter Confusion: Studies suggest complex primary rules, particularly in nonpartisan systems, can sometimes lead to decreased voter turnout and understanding.

International Perspectives

European Practices

In Europe, primaries are typically party-organized rather than state-administered. While closed primaries are common, some parties, notably in France, Italy, and Germany, have experimented with open or member-based primaries, particularly for selecting party leaders or candidates for high-profile elections.

France: The Socialist Party pioneered open primaries in 2011 for presidential candidate selection.
Germany: Parties like the Greens and SPD use member primaries for leadership and candidate selection.
Italy: Open primaries have been used for regional elections and selecting prime ministerial candidates.
EU Context: The Lisbon Treaty encourages parties to designate candidates for European Commission President prior to elections, potentially via primaries.

Canadian Nomination Processes

Canadian political parties typically select candidates through nomination meetings organized by local riding associations. Leadership contests often involve direct member votes, frequently utilizing Instant-Runoff Voting (IRV), rather than state-run primaries.

Local Nominations: Riding associations select candidates through meetings, often using exhaustive ballots.
Party Leadership: Major parties (Liberal, Conservative, NDP) increasingly use direct member votes, often with IRV, to elect leaders who are de facto candidates for Prime Minister.
Shift from Conventions: A move away from traditional delegated conventions towards direct member participation.

Diverse Global Applications

Primary-like systems appear in various forms worldwide. Argentina employs a blanket primary for presidential nominations, while countries like Chile, Colombia, and Costa Rica have seen parties utilize primaries for candidate selection. In Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan have held significant pro-democracy primaries.

Argentina: Blanket primary for presidential candidates.
Colombia: Parties use primaries to select presidential nominees.
Hong Kong: Pro-democracy primaries for legislative elections.
Taiwan: Major parties conduct presidential primaries.
Uruguay: Blanket primary for party conventions that select presidential candidates.

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Primary Election" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about primary_election while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

henry louis gates jr.

novavax

roaring twenties

chairman of the standing committee of the national people's congress

fariba balouch

national portrait gallery london

commedia dell arte

albert portas

1944 united states presidential election in north dakota

muncie indiana

References

Cohen, Marty. The Party Decides: Presidential Nominations Before and after Reform. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2008.

Alan Ware, The American direct primary: party institutionalization and transformation in the North (Cambridge UP, 2002).

Irvine L. Lenroot, Wisconsin Magazine of History 26#2 (1942), pp. 219â21. online

Karen M. Kaufmann, et al., "A Promise Fulfilled? Open Primaries and Representation," Journal of Politics 65#2 (2003): 457-476. online

(in English) Website of the Campaign for a PES primary

A full list of references for this article are available at the Primary election Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice

This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing upon publicly available data from Wikipedia. It is intended for educational and informational purposes at a postgraduate level, providing an academic overview of primary elections.

This is not political or legal advice. The information presented is a synthesis of sourced material and should not substitute consultation with political scientists, election law experts, or other qualified professionals. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness based on the provided source, the dynamic nature of electoral systems means that specific details may evolve.

The creators of this content are not liable for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information herein. Always consult primary sources and expert analysis for the most current and contextually relevant understanding.

The Electoral Crucible

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Defining Primary Elections ℹ️

🗳️ Core Function

⚖️ Partisan vs. Nonpartisan

📜 Historical Roots

Classifying Primary Systems 🗂️

🔒 Closed Primary

🔓 Open Primary

⚖️ Semi-Closed/Semi-Open

⭐ Nonpartisan Blanket Primary

Evolution of Primaries ⏳

🏛️ Progressive Era Reforms

🇺🇸 Presidential Nominations

📊 Impact on Politics

Primaries in the United States 🇺🇸

🏛️ Federal, State, and Local

🗺️ Early State Influence

⚖️ Legal Challenges and Reforms

International Perspectives 🌍

🇪🇺 European Practices

🇨🇦 Canadian Nomination Processes

🌐 Diverse Global Applications

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Academic Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Defining Primary Elections

Core Function

Partisan vs. Nonpartisan

Historical Roots

Classifying Primary Systems

Closed Primary

Open Primary

Semi-Closed/Semi-Open

Nonpartisan Blanket Primary

Evolution of Primaries

Progressive Era Reforms

Presidential Nominations

Impact on Politics

Primaries in the United States

Federal, State, and Local

Early State Influence

Legal Challenges and Reforms

International Perspectives

European Practices

Canadian Nomination Processes

Diverse Global Applications

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice