What is the difference between primary and general elections?

Primary elections are held to select political party candidates for the general election. In Massachusetts, primary elections are held each year in September on the Tuesday after Labor Day. During primary elections, voters select the candidate they want to represent their party in the general election. General elections are held to determine who will be elected to office. This is the main election in which voters cast ballots for their chosen candidate. In Massachusetts, the general election is held on the first Tuesday of November each year. The main difference between primary and general elections is that primary elections are about selecting members of a party to advance to the general election, while general elections are about actually electing individuals to office. Primary elections are open to only those registered with a particular political party, while general elections are open to all registered voters. In some cases, a primary election may be the only election held, as certain states have laws that require a candidate to win a majority of the vote during the primary to avoid a general election.

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