What is a “universal primary” election?

A universal primary is an election system used in some states like Arkansas that gives all voters the opportunity to vote in primary elections. This allows both members of a political party as well as independent voters to take part in selecting the nominees for the general election. In a universal primary, voters can select whichever candidate they prefer, regardless of their party affiliation. All of the votes, including those from independents, are combined to determine who will be the party’s candidate in the general election. Universal primaries have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to give all citizens a voice in the political process. The Arkansas State Legislature passed legislation in 2019 to implement a universal primary system in the state beginning with the 2020 elections. The new system replaces the traditional party-based primary, in which only registered members of a party could vote in that party’s primary election. The new system allows all voters, regardless of party affiliation, to participate in deciding who will represent a political party in the general election. The overall goal of this system is to give more people a say in the outcome of primary elections and to increase voter participation.

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What is a “universal primary” election?

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