closed primary

American  

noun

1. a direct primary in which only persons meeting tests of party membership may vote.

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closed primary British  

noun

1. government a primary in which only members of a particular party may vote Compare open primary

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closed primary Cultural  

1. A type of direct primary limited to registered party members, who must declare their party affiliation in order to vote. The closed primary serves to encourage party unity and prevent members of other parties from infiltrating and voting to nominate weak candidates. (Compare open primary.)

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Etymology

Origin of closed primary

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Compare meaning

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

• open primary vs. closed primary

Example Sentences

Mr. Mamdani won a closed primary thanks to a surge in under-30 voters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

“The move to a closed primary system could cost more and reduce voter choice,” said the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, a nonpartisan government watchdog organization, in a statement.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2024

Authorities there have halted some construction, closed primary schools and will impose restrictions on the use of vehicles from next week to combat pollution.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2023

Connecticut has a closed primary system, which means only registered party members may participate in that party’s primary.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 8, 2023

As a closed primary is an election by the members of a political party, independents, or those who are not adherents of any party, are not allowed to participate.

From Government in the United States National, State and Local by Garner, James Wilford