Quiz: Primary Elections

How many states have closed primaries, in which a voter must register or affiliate with a political party to participate?

9
19
29
39

In states with open primaries, some observers worry that voters from one party will vote for the weaker candidate in another party’s primary in hopes of nominating a candidate who will be easier to defeat in the general election. This strategy is called ____________.

Ballot stuffing
Party crashing
Electioneering
Primary gamesmanship

What percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the 2016 presidential primaries?

19.2
28.5
39.3
51.8

The average primary voter has a higher level of educational attainment than the average person in their Congressional district.

True
False

Some people refer to a “top-two” primary, in which the top two vote-getters face off in the general election regardless of party, as a:

Kitchen sink primary
Ranked choice primary
Finalist primary
Jungle primary

To nominate candidates for president, some states hold caucuses while others hold primary elections. Which system has higher voter turnout?

Caucuses
Primary elections

In ____ states, 17-year-olds can vote in primaries as long as they will turn 18 by the time of the general election.

5
10
18
29

Independent voters are more likely to lean toward one of the two major parties than to be truly nonpartisan.

True
False

Forty-four states have so-called “sore loser” laws, which:

Only allow a recount if all candidates agree to it
Require losing candidates to formally concede elections
Restrict candidates who have lost multiple elections from getting on the ballot again
Prevent a candidate who lost a primary to run in the general election as an independent

Although nearly 40 percent of American adults identify as politically independent, what percent of Americans genuinely show no partisan leaning?

7 percent
14 percent
21 percent
28 percent

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