What is the purpose of a primary election?

The purpose of a primary election is to select candidates who will represent a political party in the upcoming general election. This process is crucial because it allows party members to choose their preferred candidates from among those running within their party. By doing so, primary elections serve to narrow down the field of candidates and ensure that the party has a single representative to campaign for election to office, ultimately aiming to secure a win in the general election.

Primary elections can take various forms, such as open or closed primaries, but their primary function remains the same: facilitating the democratic process within parties by allowing members to vote on who they believe should carry the party banner in the general election. This selection process ultimately impacts the political landscape, influencing which policies and candidates will be presented to the voters in the broader electoral arena.