Monday Class notes March 24, 2008

MSC
- By 1917 all but four states had some types of primary
- In 1968 only about one third of the states held Presidential primaries
- The number of states holding primaries has been in constant flux in recent years

Primary elections
6 different types

-Closed Primaries:
- Set registration deadline
-Must join a political party
-Oldest type of primary
- Florida’s type

-Semi- Close Primaries
- Still must join a party
- No registration deadline
- Arguably, the best type of primaries for party organizations

-Open Primary
- Anyone can vote in either primary
- Creates opportunities for "raiding"
( Raiding - If you are a Republican, you go and pick the weakest Democrat that you know could be easily defeated by the Republican party)
- Both parties on the same ballot

-Semi Open
- Independents can still vote
- Must announce your party preference
-Blanket Primary
- WA, CA, AK, Have had a blanket primary at some time
- Pick your favorite primary candidate from either party.