primaries

Cultural  

1. State elections of delegates to the nominating convention that chooses a major party's presidential candidate. In some states, delegates are elected by popular vote; in other states, party caucus es or miniconventions choose delegates.

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Primaries occur at different times during the presidential election year, a situation that drags out the process by which parties nominate candidates but allows wide public exposure to candidates and issues.

Example Sentences

Facing similar questions about the source of his wealth and poor showings in early Democratic primaries, he dropped out in February of 2020.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

“There have been situations where states have delayed their primaries after initially starting them,” Skelley said.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

It is hard to imagine a state ordering a rerunning of primaries under new districts to gut old Section 2 districts.

From Slate • Apr. 29, 2026

Black voters have played a crucial role in deciding the party’s nominee in presidential primaries.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Ekman recalled the first time he saw Bill Clinton, during the 1992 Democratic primaries.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell