👩🏾‍⚖️ap us government review

Closed primary

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A state-administered nominating election that permits only voters who have officially registered with a specific political party to choose that party’s candidates for public office. By vesting candidate selection in party registrants under state law, the system concentrates control with party organizations, limits crossover voting, and can contribute to greater ideological polarization in general elections.

AP course connection

Topic 5.8: 5.8 Electing a President

Unit 5

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