How do primaries differ from general elections?

How do primaries differ from general elections?

• A. Primaries determine turnout; general elections determine winners
• B. Primaries are nationwide; general elections are local
• C. Primaries select a party's candidate; general elections choose the officeholder
• D. Primaries require active duty members; general elections do not

Answer: (C)

Primaries determine who will represent a party in the next election, while the general election decides who actually wins the office. In a primary, party members (sometimes only registered party members, sometimes all voters depending on the state) vote to pick that party’s candidate. Then, in the general election, voters choose among the nominated candidates from all parties to decide who will hold the office. For example, after primaries select each party’s nominee for president, the general election determines which candidate becomes president. The other statements miss the fundamental distinction: primaries are about selecting a nominee within a party, not about turnout, and general elections determine the officeholder, not aspects like military status.

Primaries determine who will represent a party in the next election, while the general election decides who actually wins the office. In a primary, party members (sometimes only registered party members, sometimes all voters depending on the state) vote to pick that party’s candidate. Then, in the general election, voters choose among the nominated candidates from all parties to decide who will hold the office. For example, after primaries select each party’s nominee for president, the general election determines which candidate becomes president. The other statements miss the fundamental distinction: primaries are about selecting a nominee within a party, not about turnout, and general elections determine the officeholder, not aspects like military status.