open primary

American  

noun

1. a direct primary election in which voters need not meet a test of party membership.

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open primary British  

noun

1. government a primary in which any registered voter may participate Compare closed primary

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open primary Cultural  

1. A type of direct primary open to voters regardless of their party affiliation. Voters need not publicly declare their party affiliation but must vote for candidates of only one party. The opposite is a closed primary, in which only registered members of a party may vote.

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Etymology

Origin of open primary

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

Compare meaning

How does open-primary compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• open primary vs. closed primary

Example Sentences

We should welcome a raucous, open primary to thrash out who we are and what and who we’re going to fight for.

From The Wall Street Journal

In Illinois, you don't register under a party, so it's kind of an open primary.

From Salon

Pelosi told the New York Times: "The anticipation was that, if the president were to step aside, that there would be an open primary."

From BBC

Colorado Voters First’s initiative would open primary elections to all candidates.

From Seattle Times

Indiana has an open primary system, which means any registered voter may participate in either party’s primary.

From Seattle Times