For many Americans, Election Day in November feels like the most important moment in the electoral process. But long before general election ballots are cast, primary elections often determine which candidates and policy priorities gain momentum. Understanding open and closed primaries, runoff elections, and how state election rules influence public policy can help voters become more informed and confident civic participants.
Decisions made during the primary season can shape legislative priorities, campaign debates, and public policy long before November arrives. In Kentucky, for example, libertarian-leaning Congressman Thomas Massie recently lost the Republican primary, effectively ending his time in Congress months before the general election.
Yet primary elections remain one of the least understood parts of the election process. State election laws and voting systems vary significantly across the country, affecting voter participation, candidate selection, and the choices voters ultimately see on the ballot.
Because election rules differ from state to state, understanding how primary elections work can help voters better understand how policy priorities emerge and how representation is shaped long before the general election.
What Is a Primary Election?
A primary election is the process political parties use to select candidates who will appear on the general election ballot.
Primary elections do not operate the same way across the country. States establish different rules for participation and candidate advancement, which can influence both voter experience and election outcomes. Depending on the state, voters may be able to participate in one party’s primary, regardless of party affiliation, or they may only be allowed to vote within the party where they are registered.
Why Primary Elections Matter More Than Many Voters Realize
General elections typically attract broader public attention, while primaries often draw far fewer voters. As a result, a relatively small share of voters may play an outsized role in determining which candidates advance.
Candidates understand this dynamic. Because they must first appeal to primary voters, campaign messaging, voter outreach efforts, and policy priorities are often shaped during the primary phase of an election cycle. In states with low voter turnout during primaries, highly engaged groups of voters may have greater influence over candidate selection and the direction of public policy conversations.
How Primary Elections Work in Different States
Florida: Closed Primaries
Florida is one of 16 states that use a closed primary system for both parties. In a closed primary, voters may only participate in the primary election of the political party with which they are registered. Independent voters and voters registered with another party generally cannot participate in that party’s primary.
Closed primaries can strengthen party cohesion by allowing party members to select their own nominees. At the same time, voters who are not affiliated with a major party may have less influence during the candidate selection process. In closely contested districts, this can make primary participation especially important for registered party members.
Texas: Open Primaries and Runoff Elections
Texas uses an open primary system, meaning voters are not required to register with a party in advance to participate in their primary. Open primaries may encourage broader participation because voters are not restricted by party registration requirements. It also allows for crossover voting, where someone may vote in a different party’s primary than the one they usually affiliate with.
Texas uses runoff elections in certain races, like the upcoming one on May 26. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote during the primary election, the top two candidates advance to a runoff election.
California: The Top-Two Primary System
California uses a top-two primary system, also called a non-partisan or jungle primary. In this system, all candidates appear on the same primary ballot regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates who receive the most votes advance to the general election, even if they belong to the same political party. Another variation is the model Alaska uses, which includes four candidates proceeding, not just two.
Supporters of these primaries argue they encourage broader competition and can produce more moderate general-election matchups in some districts. Critics argue the system may reduce the visibility of smaller parties in general elections. For voters, the structure changes the strategic dynamics of both the primary and the general election.
North Carolina: Semi-Closed Primary
North Carolina is one of 12 states where at least one party uses a semi-closed primary system. In these states, registered voters may vote only in their party’s primary. Unaffiliated voters may choose which party’s primary to participate in. Voters may only vote in one primary for that election cycle.
Semi-closed primaries can expand participation by allowing unaffiliated voters to engage in the primary process without formally joining a political party. Because unaffiliated voters may choose either party’s ballot, the system can also shape campaign strategies and turnout dynamics in competitive races.
Why Civic Understanding Matters
Election systems can feel complicated, especially because rules differ across states, political parties, and sometimes even between local and statewide races. But understanding how these systems work is part of becoming a more informed civic participant. Knowing when primaries occur, who can participate, and how candidates advance can help voters engage earlier in the process and better understand how policy priorities take shape.
Civic engagement is not only about casting a ballot in November. It also includes understanding the structures and processes that shape representation throughout the election cycle.
Continue Learning About the Electoral Process
Informed civic engagement starts with understanding how the process works. The Policy Circle offers nonpartisan resources designed to help women become more informed and engaged citizens through policy education, discussion guides, and civic learning opportunities.
Whether you are preparing to vote in your next primary election or simply looking to better understand how public policy takes shape, learning how election systems function is an important step toward meaningful civic engagement. Readers looking to learn more about election systems, voter participation, and the policymaking process can explore The Policy Circle’s Election Processes and Innovations Brief and Active Voter Guide to continue building their understanding of the institutions and policies that shape everyday life.
