Primary Elections GOVT Notes 3-2

Primary Elections Direct Primary (paid for by the State) Nominate candidate from political party to run for office against other parties (President, Senate, etc)

Primary Elections Voters must declare party preference Closed Primary Voters must declare party preference (EX: Democrat, Republican, etc) For registered party members only

Primary Elections Open Primary Voters do not have to declare party preference Ask for party ballot, only vote candidates of that party (EX: only vote for Republicans)

Primary Elections (cont.) 3. Blanket Primary (wide open) Voters are free to cast their votes back and forth for candidates of any party

Other Nomination Methods Nomination by Petition – 3rd party and independent candidates need signatures of qualified voters

Other Nomination Methods Caucus – small group meeting of party members, paid for by party (Iowa) Voters discuss and debate candidates Loud and interactive Voting is usually done by hand

Other Nomination Methods 3. Convention – big pep rally for the political party

Other Nomination Methods 4. Self-Announcement – write-in candidates name

General Election Voters make the final choice All registered voters can vote for any candidate of any party Takes place the Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November

General Election Usually 50% of eligible voters turnout to vote in elections 2008 had a historic 61% voter turnout Voter turnout much higher in Presidential elections than Midterm elections

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