open primary
Definition
Noun: 1. A type of primary election: An "open primary" is a primary election in which any registered voter can participate, regardless of their political party affiliation. However, the voter must choose to vote for candidates from only one political party's ballot.
Usage
- The term "open primary" is used to describe a specific electoral system or a specific election event that follows these rules.
- It is often contrasted with a "closed primary," where only registered members of a party can vote in that party's primary.
Examples
- Noun:
- The state holds an open primary, allowing independent voters to participate.
- In an open primary, you can request either the Democratic or Republican ballot on election day.
Advanced Usage
- The concept is central to discussions about electoral reform, voter participation, and political party strategy.
- Debates often focus on whether open primaries lead to more moderate candidates or allow for strategic "crossover" voting by members of one party to influence the nomination of another.
Variants and Related Words
- Closed primary (n): A primary election in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote.
- Semi-closed primary (n): A primary where registered party members can only vote in their party's primary, but unaffiliated voters can choose which party's primary to vote in.
- Primary election (n): A preliminary election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select the candidates for a principal, especially presidential, election.
Synonyms
- Nonpartisan primary (Note: This is a close but not perfect synonym, as "nonpartisan primary" often refers to a different system, like a blanket or top-two primary, where all candidates appear on one ballot regardless of party.)
Related Phrases
- Crossover voting: The act of a voter participating in another party's primary, which is a feature possible in an open primary system.
Noun
-
a primary in which any registered voter can vote (but must vote for candidates of only one party)
