U.S. presidential primary

The series of U.S. presidential primaries is one of the first steps in the process of electing a President of the United States. The primary elections provide a method for U.S. political parties to nominate and unite behind one popularly chosen candidate for the Presidency.

History

In most democracies, top-tier nominees are chosen by a relatively small number of political party leaders and activists. In the United States, however, citizens in many states may participate in a caucuses of candidate supporters or larger primary elections to select a national nominee. This has not always been the case, however; until the latter half of the 20th century, nominees were indeed chosen by a nominating convention of mostly party leaders. Direct primaries were first introduced at the local and state level as part of the Progressive Era reforms of the early 20th century.

Related Topics:
United States - Caucus - Nominating convention - Progressive Era

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Despite this, direct primaries were not fully used for national candidates until the latter half of the 20th century. As late as 1968, Hubert Humphrey won the Democratic party nomination without entering a single primary. Humphrey's nomination split the Democratic party (see 1968 Democratic National Convention) over the issue of the Vietnam War. Republicans had already begun moving toward popular nomination when Senator Barry Goldwater won the 1964 nomination by defeating Nelson Rockefeller on the California primary. Popular participation in the nominating process became de facto by 1976 when little-known Jimmy Carter won the Democratic nomination.

Related Topics:
1968 - Hubert Humphrey - 1968 Democratic National Convention - Vietnam War - Barry Goldwater - Nelson Rockefeller - 1976 - Jimmy Carter

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Today, both the Republican and Democratic parties hold a series of caucuses and primaries from January through June of a presidential election year. In any given state, the parties typically hold their caucus or primary election on the same date. Who is eligible to vote in a primary depends on the system in use in each state. In a closed primary, only voters registered with the party may vote. In a semi-closed primary, voters unaffiliated with a party (independents) may choose a party primary in which to vote. In an open primary, any voter may vote in any party's primary.

Related Topics:
Republican - Democratic - Closed primary - Semi-closed primary - Open primary

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