Primàries

Primàries, or primaries, are internal political party processes used to select candidates for elections. In a primary, eligible voters choose among competing candidates who seek the party’s nomination, rather than having the nomination decided solely by party leaders, elites, or committees. The exact rules and scope vary by country and party.

There are several types of primaries. Open primaries allow any registered voter to participate, regardless of party affiliation. Closed primaries restrict participation to registered members or affiliates of the party. Semi-open and semi-closed systems mix elements of both. Some jurisdictions also use variations such as top-two or open-list primaries, which determine ballot order or which candidates advance to a general election.

Procedures typically involve ballots, polling sites or mail-in voting, and clarification of eligibility rules. Primaries may be overseen by independent election authorities, or by party organizations, and can include requirements for candidate filing, campaigning limits, and ballot access. The goal is to determine a party’s strongest candidate while engaging party members and sometimes broader segments of the electorate.

Critics argue that primaries can favor candidates who appeal to voters outside the party base, increase the influence of money or media, or lead to strategic voting and fragmentation. Proponents contend that primaries enhance democratic participation, accountability, and legitimacy of the chosen candidate by reflecting the preferences of voters.

Originating in the United States during the Progressive Era in the early 20th century, primaries have since spread to various forms around the world. In Catalan-speaking contexts, primàries likewise refer to processes for nominating party or movement candidates and are used to promote transparent candidate selection.