Overview Article on Presidential Primaries (CQ Researcher)
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowA collection of weekly research reports exploring current social and political issues.
History of How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates
Primary Politics: Everything You Need to Know about How America Nominates Its Presidential Candidates by Call Number: Access online via JSTORISBN: 0815735278Publication Date: 2018-11-13"[T]his book explores one of the most important questions in American politics-how we narrow the list of presidential candidates every four years."
The Imperfect Primary by Call Number: Access online via Taylor & FrancisISBN: 9780429296376Publication Date: 2019-07-17" The complex and ever-changing rules governing American presidential nomination contests are continuously up for criticism, but there is little to no consensus on exactly what the problems are or on how to fix them. The evolving system is hardly rational because it was never carefully planned. [...] Through the modeling of empirical research to demonstrate how questions of biases can be systematically addressed, students can better see the advantages, disadvantages, and potential for unintended consequences in a whole host of reform proposals."
National Conference of State Legislatures
- National Conference of State LegislaturesThe National Conference of State Legislatures, created by state legislators and legislative staff in 1975, serves America’s 50 states, commonwealths, territories and the District of Columbia.
- State Primary Election Types"The laws governing state primaries are complex and nuanced to say the least, and state primary laws have been a cause of confusion among voters and election administrators alike.The manner in which party primary elections are conducted varies widely by state. Primaries can be categorized as closed, partially closed, partially open, open to unaffiliated voters, open or top-two."
- State Primary Election SystemsChart categorizing primary election systems in the 50 states. Note the last column: Applies to Presidential: yes/no. Updated June 2021.
- State Primaries Toolkit"All 50 states and territories use primaries to select party nominees for at least some offices. [...] This toolkit highlights how states differ."
- How States Differentiate Presidential Primaries From State Primaries"States and parties can choose to run their presidential and state primary elections in different ways."
"The presidential and state primary elections differ by type in 11 states.
In 39 states, the two primary types match.
In three of the 11 states that differ, presidential primaries are run by parties.
In seven of the 11 states that differ, the statute governing the presidential primary is more restrictive as to who can participate than the one governing the state primary." - Primaries: More than One Way to Find a Party Nominee"This report answers many of the key questions legislators may have if they are considering changing their state’s primary type. This report does not attempt to answer questions about presidential preference primaries."