Primary Matters

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, elected officials and party leaders chose presidential candidates without public input. Reformers began promoting primaries—elections to pick party nominees—saying party bosses were cutting backroom deals to select nominees. The first primaries occurred in the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until after World War II that they began to play a significant role in choosing candidates.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, elected officials and party leaders chose presidential candidates without public input. Reformers were saying party bosses were cutting backroom deals to select nominees. So they began promoting primaries, which are elections to pick party nominees. The first primaries occurred in the early 1900s. But it wasn’t until after World War II that they began to play a significant role in choosing candidates.

A primary works very much like a general election. On dates selected by each state, the District of Columbia, and territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam, voters head to polling places to cast secret ballots. Based on the results, the state parties allocate delegates for each candidate to their national conventions, where presidential nominees are formally chosen. To win the nomination, a candidate must win a majority of the delegates at the party’s convention.

A primary works very much like a general election. On dates selected by each state, the District of Columbia, and territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam, voters head to polling places to cast secret ballots. Based on the results, the state parties allocate delegates for each candidate to their national conventions. Presidential nominees are formally chosen at the national convention. To win the nomination, a candidate must win a majority of the delegates at the party’s convention.

Some states, like Iowa, have caucuses rather than primaries (see map, above). In caucuses, party members meet at the district or precinct level—gathering at schools, churches, and even private homes—to discuss the candidates and the issues. Then they publicly declare whom they’re supporting (usually by moving to a designated corner of the room). Iowa has about 1,700 precincts, each hosting its own caucus.

Some states, like Iowa, have caucuses rather than primaries (see map, above). In caucuses, party members meet at the district or precinct level to discuss the candidates and the issues. They gather at schools, churches, and even private homes. Then they publicly declare whom they’re supporting. Their support is usually shown by moving to a designated corner of the room. Iowa has about 1,700 precincts, each hosting its own caucus.

In most recent elections, a candidate from each party has collected enough delegates in the primaries to all but guarantee the nomination. This has turned the conventions into little more than three-day-long TV ads for the candidates since the actual tallying of votes is just a formality. The last time there was a convention fight to win the majority of delegates’ support was in 1976, when President Gerald Ford narrowly beat Ronald Reagan to win the Republican nomination.

In most recent elections, a candidate from each party has collected enough delegates in the primaries to all but guarantee the nomination. This has turned the conventions into little more than three-day-long TV ads for the candidates since the actual tallying of votes is just a formality. The last time there was a convention fight to win the majority of delegates’ support was in 1976. That year President Gerald Ford narrowly beat Ronald Reagan to win the Republican nomination.

Since 1952, New Hampshire has held the first presidential primary in the nation. During the 1970s, the Iowa caucuses, which take place earlier, began to gain importance, especially as a potential springboard for upstart candidates.

In recent years, other states have threatened to move their votes ahead of Iowa’s and New Hampshire’s, arguing that those states—which are small, rural, and less diverse than the country as a whole—shouldn’t wield so much influence over the process of choosing the president.

With that rationale in mind, the Democratic Party has this year chosen South Carolina, which has a significant Black population, to hold the first primary. (To complicate matters, New Hampshire has a state law saying it must hold the nation’s first primary, so it intends to ignore the order set by party leaders.) The Democrats are also moving Michigan, which is a key swing state, earlier in the primary calendar.

Being early in the voting lineup gives a state influence on the process—and a big dose of attention and influx of money.

Since 1952, New Hampshire has held the first presidential primary in the nation. During the 1970s, the Iowa caucuses, which take place earlier, began to gain importance, especially as a potential springboard for upstart candidates.

In recent years, other states have threatened to move their votes ahead of Iowa’s and New Hampshire’s. They argue that small, rural, and less diverse states shouldn’t have so much influence over the process. This year the Democratic Party has chosen South Carolina, which has a significant Black population, to hold the first primary. To complicate matters, New Hampshire has a state law saying it must hold the nation’s first primary. Therefore, it intends to ignore the order set by party leaders. The Democrats are also moving Michigan, which is a key swing state, earlier in the primary calendar.

Being early in the voting lineup gives a state influence on the process. It also comes with a big dose of attention and influx of money.