Closed primary
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In a closed primary, the selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members.[2] This prevents members of other parties from "crossing over" to influence the nomination of an opposing party's candidate. [2]
U.S. Legal gives an example of the closed primary election. If it is a Republican primary election, only those people who are registered Republicans can vote. [3]
The closed primary election is to choose a particular party’s candidate who will eventually run for office in the general election.[3]
States that use a closed primary
There are 20 states that use a closed primary process.
Other primary systems
Open primary
Open primary is a primary election in which any registered voter can vote in any party's primary. Voters choose which primary to vote in, and do not have to be a member of that party in order to vote.[4]
Mixed primary
Some states have a mixed primary system, in which some parties allow any registered voter to vote in their primary and other parties restrict their primary to party members.
Blanket primary
In a blanket primary, voters pick one candidate for each office without regard to party. The candidates with the most votes advance to the general election. For example, two Democrats or two Republicans can advance beyond the primary to the general election.
See also
- Open primary
- Voting in the 2012 primary_elections
- Primary election
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 state government elections
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 U.S. Congress elections
External links
- Primary election definition from Encyclopedia Britannica
- MTV Rock the Vote Terms and Definitions
- U.S. Legal Definitions
References
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