What is the term for a primary in which only registered members of the party may vote?

What is the term for a primary in which only registered members of the party may vote?

• A. Closed primary
• B. Open primary
• C. Semi-closed primary
• D. Blanket primary

Answer: (A)

A closed primary is a primary election in which only voters registered with a party can participate. This restricts the nominating process to the party’s own members, preventing independents or members of other parties from influencing the outcome. It helps ensure the nominee reflects the party’s base and platform, though it can limit overall voter participation. Open primaries allow any registered voter to participate, semi-closed primaries permit unaffiliated voters to vote in a party’s primary while still restricting members of other parties, and blanket primaries feature all candidates on one ballot. For the described scenario, the term is closed primary.

A closed primary is a primary election in which only voters registered with a party can participate. This restricts the nominating process to the party’s own members, preventing independents or members of other parties from influencing the outcome. It helps ensure the nominee reflects the party’s base and platform, though it can limit overall voter participation. Open primaries allow any registered voter to participate, semi-closed primaries permit unaffiliated voters to vote in a party’s primary while still restricting members of other parties, and blanket primaries feature all candidates on one ballot. For the described scenario, the term is closed primary.