the.com/primary
Democracy's casting call, where the party picks its favorite before the public even auditions.
means An election held to choose a political party's candidate before the main, general election.
from From Latin 'primarius,' meaning 'of the first rank,' built from 'primus,' meaning 'first.' The word entered English simply meaning 'first in importance,' and only later, especially in American politics, narrowed into its current sense of the preliminary vote that happens first, before the real contest.
- turnout reality
- Often under 20 percent of eligible voters show up
- origin story
- Created to wrestle power from smoke-filled backroom bosses
- open vs closed
- Some let any voter in, others lock out independents
- super tuesday
- One day can crown a nominee before most states vote