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Social Sciences and History / Unit 9   SSH 0810 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Primaries and Caucuses; Closed, Open, Top-Two

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The idea

State parties nominate by primary, a fast private ballot, or caucus, a public town-hall meeting. Closed primary: only the party's registered voters. Open: any registered voter, any party. Top-two: the two leaders advance regardless of party. Delegates carry results to conventions.

In practice

A platform: the issues important to the party.

Where people slip

Caucuses are mostly reserved for presidential years.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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