direct primary

American  

noun

U.S. Politics.

1. a primary in which members of a party nominate its candidates by direct vote.

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direct primary British  

noun

1. government a primary in which voters directly select the candidates who will run for office

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direct primary Cultural  

1. An election in which voters choose candidates to run on a party's ticket in a subsequent election for public office.

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Etymology

Origin of direct primary

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The law also enables people to spend HSA dollars on monthly or annual fees for direct primary care.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

The 2026 expansion includes individuals with bronze or catastrophic plans through the ACA marketplace and those using direct primary care or telehealth services.

From Barron's • Oct. 5, 2025

Binance could also be exposed to direct "primary" sanctions if the company has what the U.S.

From Reuters • Nov. 4, 2022

A concept called direct primary care is also steadily growing.

From Washington Post • Aug. 18, 2022

Under the direct primary plan any voter possessing the necessary qualifications for holding office may become a candidate by merely securing the signatures of a specified number of voters to a petition.

From Community Civics and Rural Life by Dunn, Arthur William