closed primary

noun

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

Origin of closed primary

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Words nearby closed primary

closed hospital, closed interval, closed loop, closed plan, closed position, closed primary, closed reduction, closed rule, closed scholarship, closed season, closed sentence

British Dictionary definitions for closed primary

closed primary

noun

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

Cultural definitions for closed primary

closed primary

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.)