primaries

1. State elections of delegates to the nominating convention that chooses a major party's presidential candidate. In some states, delegates are elected by popular vote; in other states, party caucus es or miniconventions choose delegates.

Primaries occur at different times during the presidential election year, a situation that drags out the process by which parties nominate candidates but allows wide public exposure to candidates and issues.

Example Sentences

Unity Schools Partnership has decided to implement a two-week half-term across its eight primaries in Norfolk, following a trial last year.

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The New York race may be a preview of Democratic primaries to come.

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“Down ballot, if you come in, especially for primaries, you can really make a difference. You know, not all Democrats are the same,” she said.

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The clearest emerging litmus test is opposition to sending offensive weapons, but other issues could loom large in Democratic primaries, including recognizing a Palestinian state and allowing international investigations of Israeli war crimes.

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Some may retire from Congress, others will run in newly-created districts against a favored Republican and others will be forced to face a fellow Democratic incumbent in dog-eat-dog primaries in redrawn districts.

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