Everything You Need to Know About
the Presidential Primaries
By: Stephanie Drahan 01/20/2016
This year, millions of voters across the country will vote in the presidential primaries, which
begin in just a few weeks. Primary elections and caucuses are a key part of the process to
select the next President and provide a crucial opportunity for voters to take control and
influence the process by selecting their top candidate to represent a political party in the
general election.
Unfortunately, fewer voters tend to turnout for primary elections and caucuses despite the
important impact they have on who ultimately wins the race for the White House. Therefore,
any increase in turnout can have a significant impact – remind your friends and family to
register to vote, so that they can participate in the upcoming presidential
primaries. Deadlines to participate in many states’ primaries are approaching soon. To find
out more about your state’s primary, visit www.VOTE411.org.
The rules about the primaries, including when they are held and who can participate in them,
vary widely by state. But, here’s a quick look to help answer your questions about this
pivotal part of our voting system.
How Do Primaries and Caucuses Work? Who Can Participate?
Rules on which voters can participate in primaries and caucuses vary greatly by state.
Generally speaking, individuals designate the political party whose primary or caucus they
will vote in when they register to vote or update their voter registration, but some states let
you make this choice on Election Day. Overall, states generally hold one of three main
types of primaries or a nominating caucus.
Open Primaries: Voters can cast a vote in a primary, regardless of his or her political
affiliation. This means that as long as you are registered to vote, you may choose which
party’s primary you want to participate in when you get your ballot.
Closed Primaries: Only voters who are registered members of a political party prior to
the primary may participate in choosing that party’s candidates.
Semi-closed or Hybrid Primary: Voters who have not previously chosen a political
party have the option to choose which party’s primary to vote in, while voters registered
with a party may only vote in that party's primary. This system represents a middle
ground in that independent or unaffiliated voters can still participate, but voters cannot
vote outside of their designated party.
Nominating Caucus: A small group of party leaders or a broader group of voters choose
the party’s nominee. In some states, voters from any party can participate in any party’s
caucus. Unlike a primary election, nominating caucuses are run by the party itself, not
the state or local government. Over 10 states, including Iowa, Nevada and Maine, use
the caucus process.
What are Delegates?
In the presidential primaries, voters actually select delegates who have committed to
represent a particular candidate at the party’s national convention later this summer. Voters
may see the delegates name alongside their chosen candidate when in the voting booth. The
job of delegates is to confirm voters’ choice on the floor of the party’s national convention.
Most states’ primaries and caucuses are binding, meaning that the results legally bind some
or all of the delegates to vote for a particular candidate unless the candidate releases their
delegates, for example if they drop out of the race. How states disseminate their delegates
varies with some being proportional to the election results while others are winner-takes-all.
When Is My State’s Primary or Caucus?
Primary elections can be held at any time throughout the year, but most presidential
primaries are held between February and June. The most influential primary day will likely
be Super Tuesday, March 1, 2016, when the most states simultaneously hold their primaries
and caucuses.
Simply enter your address at VOTE411.org to find everything you need to know about your
state’s upcoming elections, including primary or caucus date as well as deadlines for voter
registration, early and absentee voting opportunities, voting rules and more.
How Do I Learn About The Candidates?
Like all elections, in the lead up to primaries and caucuses, candidates work to convince
potential voters to vote for them. Candidates usually do this through speeches, public events,
radio and television commercials, ads and mailings, as well as through candidate debates and
forums. Candidate debates and forums are a core feature of U.S. politics that help
voters learn more about a candidate and his or her stance on key issues. Both the Republican
and Democratic presidential candidates have been participating in a range of debates and
forums since 2015. Additional debates and forums will occur throughout the primary and
caucus season.
In addition to debates and forums, voters can learn about candidates throughVOTE411.org,
including upcoming events and other information provided directly from the candidates
regarding where they stand on a variety of public policy issues.
What Else Do I Need To Know?
As more states vote, the number of candidates actively campaigning usually reduces as
voters’ preferences become clear, though candidates’ names may remain on ballots after they
have withdrawn from the race. Additionally, not all candidates will be on the ballot in every
state. VOTE411.org can help voters learn which candidates to expect on their ballot.
Whether at the local, state or national level, voting is the most powerful way to have your
voice heard. That’s why it’s crucial that you make sure you’re registered and ready to
vote! If you recently changed your name, moved or want to change your party affiliation,
please update your voter registration record. Be sure to remind your friends and family
members to check or update their registration, too!
To learn more about the electoral process, check out our guide: Electing the President.
Election Day 2016 is coming! Now is the time to
remind the people in your life to visit VOTE411.org to register to vote, make sure that their
voter registration record is up-to-date and learn about important voting rules and deadlines
in their state. With your help, we’re Making Democracy Work!