<P> Primaries can be used in nonpartisan elections to reduce the set of candidates that go on to the general election (qualifying primary). (In the U.S., many city, county and school board elections are non-partisan .) Generally, if a candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in the primary, he or she is automatically elected, without having to run again in the general election . If no candidate receives a majority, twice as many candidates pass the primary as can win in the general election, so a single seat election primary would allow the top two primary candidates to participate in the general election following . </P> <P> When a qualifying primary is applied to a partisan election, it becomes what is generally known as a blanket or Louisiana primary: typically, if no candidate wins a majority in the primary, the two candidates receiving the highest pluralities, regardless of party affiliation, go on to a general election that is in effect a run - off . This often has the effect of eliminating minor parties from the general election, and frequently the general election becomes a single - party election . Unlike a plurality voting system, a run - off system meets the Condorcet loser criterion in that the candidate that ultimately wins would not have been beaten in a two - way race with every one of the other candidates . </P> <P> Because many Washington residents were disappointed over the loss of their blanket primary, which the Washington State Grange helped institute in 1935, the Grange filed Initiative 872 in 2004 to establish a blanket primary for partisan races, thereby allowing voters to once again cross party lines in the primary election . The two candidates with the most votes then advance to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation . Supporters claimed it would bring back voter choice; opponents said it would exclude third parties and independents from general election ballots, could result in Democratic or Republican - only races in certain districts, and would in fact reduce voter choice . The initiative was put to a public vote in November 2004 and passed . On July 15, 2005, the initiative was found unconstitutional by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington . The U.S. Supreme Court heard the Grange's appeal of the case in October 2007 . In March 2008, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Grange - sponsored Top 2 primary, citing a lack of compelling evidence to overturn the voter - approved initiative . </P> <P> In elections using electoral systems where strategic nomination is a concern, primaries can be very important in preventing "clone" candidates that split their constituency's vote because of their similarities . Primaries allow political parties to select and unite behind one candidate . However, tactical voting is sometimes a concern in non-partisan primaries as members of the opposite party can vote for the weaker candidate in order to face an easier general election . </P>

Who do we vote for in the primary election