primaries

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.

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

“Down ballot, if you come in, especially for primaries, you can really make a difference. You know, not all Democrats are the same,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

The clearest emerging litmus test is opposition to sending offensive weapons, but other issues could loom large in Democratic primaries, including recognizing a Palestinian state and allowing international investigations of Israeli war crimes.

From Salon

Some may retire from Congress, others will run in newly-created districts against a favored Republican and others will be forced to face a fellow Democratic incumbent in dog-eat-dog primaries in redrawn districts.

From Salon

Candidates don’t need to win over most voters, according to political experts and observers — just the small, very political group that shows up for low-turnout, winner-take-all primaries.

From Salon

“Polarization is at epic levels in the Texas primaries,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.

From Salon