1. Primary Elections CONFUSING! State by state laws….
Varying laws for “regular” primary elections vs. Presidential primaries….

3. An intra-party election to determine who opposes the candidate in the
The Primary Election
An intra-party election to determine who opposes the candidate in the
“other” party

4. Closed Primaries
Only declared party members vote….you can only use that party’s ballot

5. Open Primaries
Any qualified voter can choose whichever ballot they wish

6. Public vs. Private Primaries
Must you tell someone how you are voting? Democrat or Republican?

7. What is OHIO?
Ohio is Public Open (eff.2012 prez)
We WERE Modified Closed You could change party affiliation on election day

8. TODAY: “Which ballot would you like?”
Your choice declares your party loyalty
Prior to 2012….

9. Pros and Cons Open vs. Closed Primaries…..
For Closed:
Prevents Raiding
Candidates responsive
Voters more thoughtful
Against Closed:
Excludes independents

10. The Presidential Primary

11. Remember…..
The primary is an election held within the party to choose the candidate who will oppose the other party’s candidate
The following is how PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES are held

12. Getting the Presidential Election Started
January of Presidential Election the Year
$$$ and exposure is key
Again, Ohio is March vs. May

13. Presidential Primaries are INDIRECT elections “Delegates” (vs
Presidential Primaries are INDIRECT elections “Delegates” (vs. electors in the General)

14. Delegates go to the National Convention to vote for their candidate “Superdelegates” Informal term for “unpledged” delegates at the conventions (PLEO’s) (hard vs. soft )

15. National Convention Goals
Nominate Prez/VP
Unite the Party
Develop Platform

24. The 2016 National Numbers
Republicans: 2,472 total Simple majority wins nomination
Democrats: 4765 total Simple majority wins nomination

25. How do we get these numbers?
Each party uses different methods!!
Formulas; “Allocation Factor”
Winner take all (R) vs. proportional (D)
Bonus Delegates
Territories

26. OH Republicans (2016) 66 TOTAL OHIO DELEGATES 48 for House Districts
15 At-Large for the outright Winner of Ohio
3 Superdelegates will attend also
66 TOTAL OHIO DELEGATES

28. OH Democrats (2016) 159 TOTAL OHIO DELEGATES 93 from House Districts
31 for the outright OHIO Winner
40 Superdelegates will attend also
159 TOTAL OHIO DELEGATES

29. Primary Elections
Beyond these basic definitions, it becomes VERY HARD to explain, except on a state by state basis

30. Notable Differences State by State
Iowa Caucuses (And the Ames straw Poll)
New Hampshire & Florida
Different Dates; “Super Tuesday”
Some are on Saturdays
The more you read about how other states operate, the more confusing it gets
The Green Papers

31. Dixville Notch, NH (up next Millsville?)

32. Super Tuesday usually gives us the true frontrunner…
…but you never know. The 2008 Democratic primary battle went until summer! Some thought 2012’s
would too. 2016?

33. The 2012 National Numbers
Obama won ALL of the Democratic Delegates

34. Primary vs. Caucus
Primary elections are party events run by state and local governments…
Are definitely “elections”
Caucuses are private events run by the political parties themselves!
Are definitely NOT elections, more like meetings

35. Reform the Primary System?
Unlikely, Congress would have to act, parties and states would all have to agree; honestly, to change this the Constitution would need amended