| Primaries are the initial steps of selecting the | | | | allows independent voters to participate which |
| presidential candidate of each party in the United | | | | might help with the election of a candidate that |
| States. Each party announces their candidate at | | | | might have a better chance to get elected in the |
| their national convention which is usually the | | | | general elections. One major disadvantage of this |
| summer before the presidential elections. At the | | | | kind of primary is that the opponent party might |
| national convention the ultimate candidate of the | | | | organize its voters to take part in the others |
| party for the election is chosen by the delegates | | | | party primary and vote for the weakest |
| present at the convention. The rules for the | | | | candidate. |
| appointments of delegates to the convention vary | | | | 2- Closed Primaries: Voters may vote in a party's |
| from party to party and also from state to state. | | | | primary only if they are registered members of |
| Most of the delegates are chosen using primaries | | | | that party. Independents cannot participate. The |
| and caucuses however both the Democratic | | | | closed primary serves to encourage party unity |
| Party and the Republican Party have provisions | | | | and prevent members of other parties from |
| for so called Super-delegates which are chosen | | | | infiltrating and voting to nominate weak |
| outside the primary and caucus system. The | | | | candidates. There are also semi-closed primaries. |
| caucus system is very similar to closed primaries | | | | The advantages of these kinds of primary are |
| but in ways more restricted for party members | | | | that it encourages people to join a party and thus |
| and party influence. There are two major types | | | | be more political. The main disadvantage is that |
| of primaries called Closed Primaries and Open | | | | registered party members will probably vote |
| Primaries which are explained below: | | | | politically and will not be a good representation of |
| 1- Open Primaries: In this kind of primary any | | | | the general public thus they might chose a |
| registered voter can vote regardless of their | | | | candidate with a low likelihood of getting elected. |
| party affiliation. Voters are not required to publicly | | | | Currently primaries for the 2008 US presidential |
| choose one party or the other. Rather, they | | | | elections are taking place started off with the first |
| enter the voting booth and choose the party | | | | primary in New Hampshire. Even though new |
| ballot on which they will vote in secret. Hence, one | | | | Hampshire is a small state but since it is the first |
| does not need to be a member of a particular | | | | primary in the presidential race it caries significant |
| party in order to vote in a party's primary. Also a | | | | importance since it will help build momentum for |
| member of one party can vote in the primary of | | | | the winning candidate. Most of the primaries for |
| another party. However, one can vote in only one | | | | this year will take place on February 3rd which is |
| primary. The advantages of open primaries are | | | | known as super Tuesday. |
| that they increase voter participation. Also it | | | | |