primary

In presidential election campaigns in the USA, a statewide ballot in which voters indicate their candidate preferences for the two main parties. Held in 41 states, primaries begin with New Hampshire in February and continue until June; they operate under varying complex rules. Primaries are also held to choose candidates for other posts, such as Congressional seats.

Generally speaking, the number of votes received by a candidate governs the number of delegates who will vote for that person at the national conventions in July/August, when the final choice of candidate for both Democratic and Republican parties is made. Some delegates remain loyal to the last ballot, others make deals to benefit the state or local situation as the field of candidates narrows. Some primaries are ‘closed’, being restricted to actual members of the party, others are ‘open’ to any registered voter.