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  1. Home
  2. ›Definitions
  3. ›Elections and the Race
  4. ›Primary election

Elections and the Race

Primary election

Party (or top-two) contest that precedes the general election.

What this means

Primaries choose nominees or advance candidates under state rules. Live map mode can filter primary stage and party; archive choropleths focus on general-election results.

Related

  • General election

    November contest that fills the federal office.

  • Election cycle

    Two-year federal campaign period labeled by its election year.

All definitions · Methodology