direct primary

/dəˈrɛkt ˈpraɪˌmɛri /

Other forms: direct primaries

In a direct primary, people vote for the person they want to be the candidate in the general election. Most direct primaries in the United States require voters to be registered as Republicans or Democrats.

While a direct primary involves voting directly for the candidate, an indirect primary is one in which voters select delegates who then choose the candidate at a party convention. Both kinds of primary election have historically been used in the U.S., but today every state holds direct primaries. The term comes from the direct choice, with no intermediary, and primary, or "first," which refers to the fact that it precedes the general election.

Definitions of direct primary

1. noun

   a primary where voters directly select the candidates who will run for office
   types:

   closed primary

   a primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote

   open primary

   a primary in which any registered voter can vote (but must vote for candidates of only one party)

   type of:

   primary, primary election

   a preliminary election where delegates or nominees are chosen