SkipCaptcha, Automoderated users, edit
8,856
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
mLine 1:
Line 1: − + + + Line 6:
Line 8: − + + + + + + + + + + + + Line 17:
Line 30: − − Some states conduct "open primaries" where any registered voter may vote. Other states have "closed primaries", where voters must register first by party, and on election day voting is limited to people who registered in advance as members of that party. Line 32:
Line 43: − ==Jungle primary== − Some states, such as [[California]], [[Louisiana]], and [[Washington]], have what is known as a '''jungle primary''', where every candidate, regardless of party, competes together in the primary election and the top two candidates, also regardless of party, are able to face each other in the general election. Jungle primaries are generally supported by those on the [[Liberal|Left]], and in California, they have weakened GOP power and made the Democrat Party more left-wing.<ref>Fleischman, Jon (October 18, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/california/2017/10/18/fleischman-ca-gop-has-fared-poorly-after-passage-of-prop-14/ FLEISCHMAN: CA GOP Has Fared Poorly in ‘Jungle Primary’ Era]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 19, 2017.</ref> Contrary to expectations that the jungle primary would lead to more moderate candidates, they have become more polarized under California's primary system.<ref>McCammond, Alexi (June 2, 2018). [https://www.axios.com/what-is-californias-jungle-primary-system-2018-election-85155277-9f39-4848-b58e-9dcbf81c99fc.html California's "jungle primary" isn't working]. ''Axios''. Retrieved June 2, 2018.</ref>
no edit summary
In the American electoral system, a '''primary election''' is an election that determines the nominee for each [[political party]], who then competes for the office in the general election. A '''presidential primary''' is a state election that picks the delegates committed to nominate particular candidates for president of the United States. A '''presidential caucus''', as in Iowa, requires voters to meet together for several hours in face-to-face meetings that select county delegates, who eventually pick the delegates to the national convention. No other country uses primaries; they choose their candidates in party conventions. Primary elections are held on every level and branch of American government.
In the American electoral system, a '''primary election''' is an election that determines the nominee for each [[political party]], who then competes for the office in the general election. A '''presidential primary''' is a state election that picks the delegates committed to nominate particular candidates for president of the United States. A '''presidential caucus''', as in Iowa, requires voters to meet together for several hours in face-to-face meetings that select county delegates, who eventually pick the delegates to the national convention. No other country uses primaries; they choose their candidates in party conventions.
Primary elections are held on every level and branch of American government. However, only the two major parties (Republican and Democrat) use primaries; third parties (such as Libertarian and Green) use conventions.
==History==
==History==
As a result of the 1968 [[McGovern-Fraser Commission]], both parties changed their rules to emphasize presidential primaries, leaving the caucus system in use by only a few states.
As a result of the 1968 [[McGovern-Fraser Commission]], both parties changed their rules to emphasize presidential primaries, leaving the caucus system in use by only a few states.
In recent decades, New Hampshire holds the first primary a few days after Iowa holds the first caucus. That gives these two states enormous leverage, as the candidates and the media focus there. New Hampshire and Iowa receive about half of all the media attention given all primaries.
In recent decades, New Hampshire holds the first primary a few days after Iowa holds the first caucus. That gives these two states enormous leverage, as the candidates and the media focus there. New Hampshire and Iowa receive about half of all the media attention given all primaries.
==Structure==
A primary may either be an '''open''' primary or a '''closed''' primary in most cases.
In a closed primary, a voter must (upon registering to vote) declare his/her party affiliation or declare as an independent. Only voters who affiliate with a party are eligible to vote in that party's primary elections. [[Oklahoma]] and [[Florida]] are among states who use closed primaries.
In an open primary, a voter is not required to declare a party affiliation until Election Day (including early voting), when s/he can arrive at a primary and declare his/her intention to vote in it. However, the voter can only vote in one party's primary election. [[Texas]] is among states which use open primaries.<ref>Texas allows a voter who didn't vote in a primary election to vote in a subsequent runoff election (but again, only for one party); a voter who voted in one party's primary can't subsequently vote in the other party's runoff election. Also, a Texas voter who participated in a primary cannot then participate in another party's convention, nor can the voter sign a petition for an independent candidate.</ref>
===Jungle primary===
Some states, such as [[California]], [[Louisiana]], and [[Washington]], have what is known as a '''jungle primary''', where every candidate, regardless of party, competes together in the primary election and the top two candidates, also regardless of party, are able to face each other in the general election. Jungle primaries are generally supported by those on the [[Liberal|Left]], and in California, they have weakened GOP power and made the Democrat Party more left-wing.<ref>Fleischman, Jon (October 18, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/california/2017/10/18/fleischman-ca-gop-has-fared-poorly-after-passage-of-prop-14/ FLEISCHMAN: CA GOP Has Fared Poorly in ‘Jungle Primary’ Era]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 19, 2017.</ref> Contrary to expectations that the jungle primary would lead to more moderate candidates, they have become more polarized under California's primary system.<ref>McCammond, Alexi (June 2, 2018). [https://www.axios.com/what-is-californias-jungle-primary-system-2018-election-85155277-9f39-4848-b58e-9dcbf81c99fc.html California's "jungle primary" isn't working]. ''Axios''. Retrieved June 2, 2018.</ref>
==Advantages==
==Advantages==
Both political parties and state laws have attempted to control or limit the discretion of convention delegates. Historically, party conventions imposed "the unit rule" which cast all of a state's votes for the candidate that received a majority of convention delegate's votes instead of allowing each individual delegate's vote to count separately. The post-1968 reforms that promoted primaries to select convention delegates abolished the unit rule. Yet, some states provide for "winner take all" primaries which allow delegates that are pledged to a candidate to take all of the state's convention delegate seats rather than awarding the seats in proportion to the votes of the candidates. Some states impose a legal obligation upon the convention delegates to vote for the candidate to which they are pledged, while in other states, "pledged" delegates can change their minds about how they will vote without penalty.
Both political parties and state laws have attempted to control or limit the discretion of convention delegates. Historically, party conventions imposed "the unit rule" which cast all of a state's votes for the candidate that received a majority of convention delegate's votes instead of allowing each individual delegate's vote to count separately. The post-1968 reforms that promoted primaries to select convention delegates abolished the unit rule. Yet, some states provide for "winner take all" primaries which allow delegates that are pledged to a candidate to take all of the state's convention delegate seats rather than awarding the seats in proportion to the votes of the candidates. Some states impose a legal obligation upon the convention delegates to vote for the candidate to which they are pledged, while in other states, "pledged" delegates can change their minds about how they will vote without penalty.
States set the rules for a candidate appearing on a primary ballot. Typically, the candidate must gather signatures on petitions to show support. The Democratic party adopted a rule specifying that a candidate needs only 5,000 voter signatures to appear on the primary ballot, and that if a state law requires more signatures, then the state will be penalized in sending delegates to the convention.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1152537704798737.1073742023.196910197028164&type=3&uploaded=2|title=Ballot Rules: Easiest, Toughest States for Candidates|date=
States set the rules for a candidate appearing on a primary ballot. Typically, the candidate must gather signatures on petitions to show support. The Democratic party adopted a rule specifying that a candidate needs only 5,000 voter signatures to appear on the primary ballot, and that if a state law requires more signatures, then the state will be penalized in sending delegates to the convention.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1152537704798737.1073742023.196910197028164&type=3&uploaded=2|title=Ballot Rules: Easiest, Toughest States for Candidates|date=
In late 2009 the two national parties are meeting to find a common solution.
In late 2009 the two national parties are meeting to find a common solution.
==Further reading==
==Further reading==