open primary


noun

a direct primary election in which voters need not meet a test of party membership.

Origin of open primary

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35

British Dictionary definitions for open primary

open primary

noun

US government a primary in which any registered voter may participate Compare closed primary

Cultural definitions for open primary

open primary

A type of direct primary open to voters regardless of their party affiliation. Voters need not publicly declare their party affiliation but must vote for candidates of only one party. The opposite is a closed primary, in which only registered members of a party may vote.