Which primary system is open to independents and allows voters to choose candidates from all parties?

Which primary system is open to independents and allows voters to choose candidates from all parties?

• A. Open primary
• B. Blanket primary
• C. Closed primary
• D. Top-two primary

Answer: (B)

Crossover voting across party lines in a primary is the idea being tested. In a blanket primary, all candidates from every party appear on the same ballot, and voters can choose any candidate for each office, regardless of party affiliation. This means independents can participate and voters aren’t limited to a single party’s slate in that election. This contrasts with other systems where you pick one party’s ballot and are generally voting only for that party’s candidates, or where participation is restricted to registered members of a single party. The blanket setup specifically enables mixing candidates from different parties on the same ballot, which is why it best fits the description.

Crossover voting across party lines in a primary is the idea being tested. In a blanket primary, all candidates from every party appear on the same ballot, and voters can choose any candidate for each office, regardless of party affiliation. This means independents can participate and voters aren’t limited to a single party’s slate in that election.

This contrasts with other systems where you pick one party’s ballot and are generally voting only for that party’s candidates, or where participation is restricted to registered members of a single party. The blanket setup specifically enables mixing candidates from different parties on the same ballot, which is why it best fits the description.