Difference Between an Election Primary and a Caucus
In the U.S. election process, primaries and caucuses are the two main methods that political parties use to select their candidates. Each process fundamentally achieves the same goal, but differ significantly in how that goal is achieved. A particular method could be more accepted than the other depending on state policies and how each process works with the party's goals.
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Proceedings
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Caucuses are typically longer than primaries. Similar to the traditional election system historically used in town squares, participants can publicly argue why a candidate should be chosen. This process can take a significant amount of time, sometimes as long as weeks, depending on the number of participants and interest groups in the caucus. Primaries, on the other hand, are closely modeled after general elections; people simply have to vote for their candidate without debate.
Scope
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Attendance at a caucus is mostly limited to members of a specific political party or sub-party. Party members initiate a caucus, organizing the meeting time and venue of the caucus. In addition, each participant has to be registered to vote in the party. On the other hand, a primary is a statewide initiated process; the state itself sets the date and venue for all political parties to attend. In the case of an open primary, participants can be from either party, and the event is free for the public to watch and attend.
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Voting
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Voting in a caucus is strictly party restricted and through an open ballot. Voting is done after hearing all of the candidates' platforms and conducting discussions with all of the political sub-groups in the party. In contrast, primary participants place their votes in a closed booth -- similar to the voting format of the general elections. There are also two forms of voting for primary elections. In an open primary, any registered voter can vote for any candidate regardless of political affiliation. For a closed primary, voters are required to vote within their registered political party.
History and Party Tradition
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Holding a caucus was traditionally the most used method for choosing candidates in the United States. Due to changes in the electoral system, however, many states opted to model the selection process more closely with the general elections. Currently, only Alaska, Colorado, Kansas, Maine, Iowa, Hawaii, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nevada and Wyoming exclusively use the caucus system. The election process differs between the two parties as well. The number of state delegates from a Democratic party election coincides with the number of votes received in the election. The Republican party has traditionally used a winner-take-all system with votes.
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