What Is the Purpose of Primary Elections in the Electoral Process?
Over the years, the U.S. political system evolved into one dominated by two political parties: the Democratic and Republican parties. Each party holds primary elections to select its nominees for local, state and national offices.FunctionThe Democratic and Republican parties hold primary elections to choose nominees for various elected offices, including president, members of Congress, and other state and local positions.GeographyThe party organizations in each of the 50 states conduct the primary elections in their respective states.Time FramePrimary elections for local, state and congressional offices occur every 2 years. Presidential primary elections occur every 4 years.TypesTypes of primary elections include closed primaries, in which only registered party members can cast ballots, and open primaries, in which any registered voter in a state may participate.ConsiderationsAlthough voters in open primary states do not have to express a party preference when they register to vote, th
