Primary
A state-run election in which voters choose their party's nominee for president by selecting among competing candidates.
A presidential primary is an election held by a state government in which registered voters cast ballots to select delegates who are committed to supporting a particular candidate at the national party convention.
Primaries differ from caucuses in that they use a standard secret-ballot voting process, similar to a general election. They are typically administered by state election officials.
Each party sets its own rules for how delegates are allocated based on primary results - some states award all delegates to the winner, while others distribute them proportionally based on vote share.
The sequence of state primaries and the rules governing them vary by party and by cycle. As of June 2026, the official 2028 primary calendar has not been finalized by either major party.
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A party-organized local meeting where voters publicly gather and express their presidential preference to allocate delegates.
A party representative selected during primaries or caucuses who votes for a presidential nominee at the national convention.
A primary election in which any registered voter may participate regardless of their party affiliation.
A primary election in which only voters registered with that party may participate.