Primary systems legislation in the United States, 2021
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Primary elections allow voters to determine which candidates compete in the general election and can be nonpartisan or partisan. In partisan primaries, voters choose the candidates they prefer for a political party to nominate in the general election.
The laws governing primary elections vary from state to state and can even vary within states by locality and political party. For example, only registered party members are allowed to vote in closed primaries, while registered party members and unaffiliated voters are allowed to vote in semi-closed primaries, and all voters are allowed to vote in open primaries.
Primary elections also vary by the way their outcomes are determined. Majority systems require the winning candidate to receive at least fifty percent of the votes cast, while plurality systems do not. In top-two primaries, top-four primaries, and blanket primaries, all candidates are listed on the same ballot, regardless of partisan affiliation.
This article presents information about state legislation considered in 2021 that was relevant to primary systems. Information about relevant state and local ballot measures proposed for the 2021 ballot is also provided. See the map and table below for further state-specific details.[1]
Background
Thirty-nine states modified their standard and/or statutory election administration procedures for the November 3, 2020, general election. Many officials and commentators argued that these modifications, which included deadline extensions, expansions of absentee/mail-in voting, and more, were necessary in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Others questioned whether these modifications were appropriate responses to the pandemic. Others still suggested that some of these modifications were made not in response to COVID-19 but in pursuit of partisan political objectives.
In the aftermath of the 2020 election cycle, debate surrounding these modifications persisted. Two dominant, broad lines of inquiry emerged:
- Were the election modifications made in 2020 legally, or politically, proper responses? For example, in instances where secretaries of state unilaterally implemented changes, was this done in accordance with state law? Legal considerations aside, were such changes made in politically responsible ways (e.g., with an eye toward bipartisan approval)?
- Were these modifications responsible for the historic level of voter turnout in 2020? If so, should these temporary modifications be made permanent? A related question is whether these changes allowed for fraudulent electoral activity.
Debate over these questions materialized in the form of litigation and, in 2021, legislation designed either to extend or curtail these changes.
Legislation
The map below provides the number of primary systems bills considered in each state in 2021. Hover over a state to see the exact number of bills. A darker shade of red indicates a greater number of relevant bills. In those states shaded in black, relevant bills were not considered. For state-specific details, click a state in the map below or select a state from the drop-down menu beneath the map. A list of state legislation will display, including information about bill status and links to full text. This information is provided by BillTrack50.com. To return to the map, click "Back" in the upper righthand corner of the legislation list.
See below for a complete list of primary systems bills. To learn more about a particular bill, click its title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.
Ballot measures
The term ballot measures describes all questions or issues that appear on election ballots for voters to approve or reject. Ballot measures may apply to state and local jurisdictions (including cities, counties, special districts, etc.). Initiatives permit citizens to propose (or initiate) statutes or constitutional amendments via petition. Referenda allow citizens to refer statutes passed by legislatures to the ballot for enactment or repeal by voters. Legislative referrals appear on voters' ballots as a result of actions taken by legislatures; these can include state statutes, constitutional amendments, and bond issues.
The sections below list ballot measures related to primary systems in 2021. These are proposed measures that may or may not have made the ballot. For additional information about the status of these measures, click the links below.
2021
Ballotpedia has tracked no ballot measures pertaining to primary elections for 2021.
See also
- Absentee/mail-in voting legislation in the United States, 2021
- Early voting legislation in the United States, 2021
- Electoral systems legislation in the United States, 2021
- Felon voting rights legislation in the United States, 2021
- Legislation governing private funding for election administration in the United States, 2021
- Redistricting legislation in the United States, 2021
- Voter identification legislation in the United States, 2021
Footnotes
- ↑ This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.
