Presidential Primary

The presidential nominating primary is a process by which voters cast a vote for their preferred presidential candidate on a ballot of their preferred major political party. It is part of the way that Minnesota voters decide which presidential candidates appear on their ballot in November.

 

Only the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and the Republican Party will typically participate. Voters choose their candidate from ONE party’s ballot.

 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I VOTE IN PERSON IN THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING PRIMARY?

The process begins the same way as if you were voting in an election: You will locate your polling place, enter it, and sign the voter roster. However, before the election judge gives you a ballot, you must indicate to the election judge which major political party’s ballot you want to vote on. You must also sign the following statement: “I am in general agreement with the principles of the party for whose candidate I intend to vote.” 

Once you receive the ballot of your party preference, you vote just as you do in an election. You will take your ballot to a private voting booth and fill in the ballot to select the candidate of your preference. Only your chosen party’s candidates will appear on the ballot; you will not see candidates for other parties. You then place your ballot in the ballot tabulator.

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WHAT IF I WANT TO VOTE ABSENTEE BY MAIL?

The absentee ballot process for the presidential nominating primary is also very similar to the process for an election. On the absentee ballot request form, you must indicate which party’s ballot you want to vote on for the presidential nominating primary. Because you must indicate your party preference, you must submit a new and unique application for the presidential nominating primary. You still must submit a new form even if you have already requested absentee ballots for other elections. You will also sign a statement saying, “I am in general agreement with the principles of the party for whose candidate I intend to vote.”

 

IF MY PREFERRED CANDIDATE WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING PRIMARY FOR MY PREFERRED PARTY, DOES THAT GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL APPEAR ON THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT?

No. Winning the presidential nominating primary in Minnesota will likely help the chances of the candidate to win the party’s nomination (and thus appearance on the general election ballot), but does not guarantee it. For example, there may be more delegates at the national convention from other states supporting a different candidate than the one who “wins” the primary. Also note that a party may allocate delegates proportionally, rather than “winner take all.” However, this also depends on the party’s rules. Contact your preferred party for details.

 

WHAT ABOUT PRIMARIES FOR OTHER ELECTORAL RACES LIKE U.S. CONGRESS OR THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE? DOES MY PARTY CHOICE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY AFFECT WHICH PARTY’S PRIMARY I PARTICIPATE IN FOR ELECTIONS IN AUGUST?

The primary election for all other electoral races remains August 13. Early voting begins in June. A voter’s party choice in the presidential primary does not affect which party’s primary they may participate in during the August primaries.

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For more detailed information on the Presidential Primary, go to https://www.lwvmn.org/picking-the-president-part1