closed primary

noun

1. a direct primary in which only persons meeting tests of party membership may vote.

closed primary

noun

1. government a primary in which only members of a particular party may vote Compare open primary

closed primary

1. A type of direct primary limited to registered party members, who must declare their party affiliation in order to vote. The closed primary serves to encourage party unity and prevent members of other parties from infiltrating and voting to nominate weak candidates. ( Compare open primary .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of closed primary¹

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Example Sentences

New Mexico has a closed primary system that limits participation to voters who register with major parties, leaving out Independent or unaffiliated voters, but not Libertarians.

From Seattle Times

Kentucky has a closed primary system, which means that only voters registered with a political party may participate in that party’s primary.

From Seattle Times

Maryland has a closed primary system, which means that only voters registered with a political party may participate in that party’s primary.

From Seattle Times

Nebraska Republicans have a closed primary system, which means that only registered Republicans may participate in a Republican primary.

From Seattle Times

Pennsylvania holds closed primary elections, meaning that someone must have been registered as a Republican or a Democrat by April 8 to have voted in the primary for that party.

From Seattle Times