Skip to content
RollCall logo

A Primary Primer

By Bob Benenson and CQ Staff
Posted December 26, 2007 at 1:00am

CQ Politics Editor Bob Benenson offers a quick course in Primaries 101.
1. What is the difference between a primary and a caucus?
2. What is the difference between ‘open’ and ‘closed’ ?
3. How are presidential primaries scheduled?
4. Why do some states have different dates for different parties’ presidential primaries?
5. How do delegates factor into the actual nomination?
6. What do the different delegate classifications mean?
7.How are congressional primaries scheduled?

Recent Stories

Former Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., speaks during a bill enrollment ceremony in 2022 after the House passed the Respect for Marriage Act, which mandates federal protections for same-sex marriage. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Former Rep. Barney Frank dead at 86

Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, says for him, the key is “having honest conversations with folks, being able to communicate that you’re not an extremist one way or the other.”

Where have all the Blue Dogs gone? Ask Vicente Gonzalez

Georgia Rep. Mike Collins will face Derek Dooley in a Senate Republican primary runoff next month. (Jason Allen/Getty Images)

GOP Senate primaries in Georgia and Alabama head to June runoffs

Pennsylvania Rep. Ryan Mackenzie will face Democrat Bob Brooks in November. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Matchups for 4 battleground House races are set in Pennsylvania

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie lost his primary Tuesday to a Trump-backed opponent.

Massie ousted in Kentucky primary by Trump-backed challenger

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., arrives for a Senate Armed Services Committee briefing on March 10.

GOP senators push for challenge to House maps in Democratic states