Primary election

Primary election, in the United States, an election in which supporters of a political party elect candidates to run in a subsequent general election. Primary elections are used throughout the United States to select candidates for Congress, state offices, and local government posts. In some states the candidates are proposed by petition; in others they simply file for the office. Most states operate “closed” primaries in which only registered party members may vote. Presidential primaries are a prelude to a party's national convention. Although some states choose delegates to the national convention by the caucus system, most have adopted the primary in one form or another. Voters indicate their preference either directly or by voting for delegates who are pledged to support a particular presidential candidate.