U.S. election primaries and caucuses

Within each state, both Democrat and Republican parties select a presidential nominee through a ballot amongst the people of that state which harks back to the origins of the nation

HOW IT WORKS: PRIMARY Statewide vote by secret ballot to select delegates to represent state at National Convention in July, where presidential candidate is chosen

CAUCUS Public gathering – attendance required. Format encourages open discussion and persuasion, favours candidates with motivated grassroots campaign

Democrat Party

Show of hands

1. Non-viable candidates eliminated

2. Supporters re-align with remaining candidates

3. Delegates for National Convention chosen at state convention – selected in proportion to votes

Viability threshold 15%

STATE BY STATE

Primary Caucus

Each person only permitted to cast vote in ballot for single party

Closed Registered members only

Semi- closed
Registered and non- affiliated voters

Open
All voters	

Dem Rep

Idaho: Democrat primary, Republican caucus
Nebraska: Democrat caucus, Republican primary

WA OR CA ID NV UT AZ MT WY CO NM ND SD NE KS OK TX MN IA MO AR LA WI IL TN AL OH WV GA NY PA VA NC SC FL ME MA RI CT NJ DE MD 

DC
Guam
Marianas
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands
American Samoa

Sources: RNC, DNC