1. Primary elections

2. Basics What is a primary? When did states start adopting primaries?
Do all states use them today?

3. Variations on primary rules
Role for the formal party organization

4. A role for state party leaders?
Pre-primary party organizational endorsements by law
CO, ND, CT, NY, RI, UT
Pre-primary endorsements by party rule
DE, VA, OH, MI, IL, IA, MA, PA, MN
Primary only, no party org. endorsements
The rest

5. Variations on primary rules
Role for the formal party organization
Voter eligibility

6. Voter eligibility? Completely closed Closed with exceptions
DE, MD, NY, PA, SD, FL, KY, OK, AZ, NV, NM
Closed with exceptions
CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, IA, KS, NE, OH, NC, WV, CA, CO, OR, WY
Open, with public selection of primary
IL, IN, AL, AR, GA, MI, MS, TN, TX, VA
Completely open
VT, MI, MN, ND, WI, SC, HI, ID, MT, UT, WA
Blanket
AL?

7. Variations on primary rules
Role for the formal party organization
Voter eligibility
Date of the primary

8. How do primaries affect candidate and party strategy?
Affects who the candidate pays attention to
The party elites or the primary voters
Moderate or extreme primary voters
Affects the candidate’s general election positioning
Strong primary stands can hurt in general (MVT II)
Late primary dates mean less resources for general