What is an open primary election?

An open primary election is a type of election in which registered voters can choose to vote in either major political party’s primary election. North Carolina holds open primary elections; this means that North Carolinians can choose to participate in either the Republican or Democratic Party primary elections. However, an individual’s vote in the primary election is only counted in the same party’s general election. This means that a voter can participate in a party primary, but their vote will not affect who will be chosen for the general election of the opposite party. In North Carolina, voters must choose which primary election they will participate in when they go to cast their ballots. Voters can vote either a straight-ticket ballot, which casts all votes in the primary election for the chosen political party, or they can select individual candidates from within the chosen party for each office up for election. Open primary elections can create more competition in the general election, since the voters have more choice within the primary. It also increases the chances of a candidate who is more independent or less entrenched in a major political party winning the general election, as it provides more opportunity for voters to participate in the election process.

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What is an open primary election?

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