A primary election system where voters are not required to register as affiliated with a particular party, and can vote for candidates from any party for each office, is a specific type of open primary. This contrasts with closed primary systems, where only registered party members can vote within that party’s primary. An example would be a voter choosing to vote for a Republican candidate for governor, but then selecting a Democratic candidate for senator, all within the same primary election.
This primary election structure is significant because it allows voters maximum flexibility in choosing candidates, potentially leading to the nomination of more moderate or broadly appealing individuals. Historically, this type of primary was seen as a way to increase voter participation and reduce the influence of party insiders. However, some argue that it can lead to strategic voting and potentially allow voters from one party to influence the outcome of another party’s primary.