Primary elections

Basics What is a primary? When did states start adopting primaries? Do all states use them today?

Variations on primary rules Role for the formal party organization

A role for state party leaders? Pre-primary party organizational endorsements by law CO, ND, CT, NY, RI, UT Pre-primary endorsements by party rule DE, VA, OH, MI, IL, IA, MA, PA, MN Primary only, no party org. endorsements The rest

Variations on primary rules Role for the formal party organization Voter eligibility

Voter eligibility? Completely closed Closed with exceptions DE, MD, NY, PA, SD, FL, KY, OK, AZ, NV, NM Closed with exceptions CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, IA, KS, NE, OH, NC, WV, CA, CO, OR, WY Open, with public selection of primary IL, IN, AL, AR, GA, MI, MS, TN, TX, VA Completely open VT, MI, MN, ND, WI, SC, HI, ID, MT, UT, WA Blanket AL?

Variations on primary rules Role for the formal party organization Voter eligibility Date of the primary

How do primaries affect candidate and party strategy? Affects who the candidate pays attention to The party elites or the primary voters Moderate or extreme primary voters Affects the candidate’s general election positioning Strong primary stands can hurt in general (MVT II) Late primary dates mean less resources for general