Types of Elections

An election held before the general election Voters choose members of their political

party to run for public office in the general election

Candidates want to be nominated in the primary

Only one can run in the general election

What is a Primary Election?

The form most often used Party members who wish to run have to

have their names put on the ballot, voters choose the candidate

2 types of direct primaries Open- ballots for all the candidates, voters

choose who they want Closed- voters declare in advance which

party they want to vote for

What is a Direct Primary?

Members of a political party elect delegates to party conventions

Presidential elections/conventions Delegates do the selecting instead of the

voters

What is an Indirect Primary?

Are not connected to a political party Used for smaller local elections Voters consider a candidate’s qualifications

not based on the party

What is a Nonpartisan Primary?

Select delegates for the national convention Some states use this, not all Delegates promise to support a certain

candidate Vote for the delegate is the same as voting

for the candidate that represents them

What is a Presidential Primary?