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Primary elections

Primary elections. Basics. What is a primary? When did states start adopting primaries? Do all states use them today? What are some variations in primary rules among the states?. Variations on primary rules. Role for the formal party organization. A role for state party leaders?.

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Primary elections

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  1. Primary elections

  2. Basics • What is a primary? • When did states start adopting primaries? • Do all states use them today? • What are some variations in primary rules among the states?

  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 • 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 • AK?

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

  8. Number of states holding 2010 primaries, by month

  9. 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 • Late primary dates mean less resources for general

  10. What could the party do to influence a primary election? • Gerrymander • Recruit/Discourage • Express unified support for one candidate • Endorsements • Financial contributions

  11. Weak American party organizations • No unified set of priorities • Party “stands” controlled by the candidates • Platform not binding on elected officials • No top down control • Local organizations controlled by part time volunteers with little training and varied skill

  12. Why so disorganized? • Election orientation • Federalism • Separation of Powers • Election of party officials • Campaign finance laws • Primaries

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