Political vocabulary & government processes · Article 6 of 20 · United States
Primary election
Selecting candidates before a general election.
What the term means
A primary is an election used to choose a party’s nominee or narrow a field of candidates. Rules vary by state and contest, including who may participate and whether a runoff is required.
How it works in practice
A primary does not usually determine who holds office; the general election normally follows. Some nonpartisan and top-two systems work differently, so local rules matter.
A concrete example
A candidate may appeal to a relatively small primary electorate and then seek broader support in November.
What to examine next
Check the election authority’s rules for registration, ballot access and deadlines rather than assuming all states use one system.
Next: Electoral district.