Elections to determine which potential political candidate will be on the ballot in the general election are called ________ elections.

Elections to determine which potential political candidate will be on the ballot in the general election are called primary elections.

Primary elections serve as a critical part of the electoral process in many democracies, allowing political parties to select their candidates for the general election. These elections can be open or closed; in open primaries, voters may choose candidates regardless of their registered party affiliation, while in closed primaries, only registered party members can vote for their respective party's candidates. The outcomes of primary elections not only shape the choices available to voters in the general election but also reflect the party's direction and priorities as chosen by its constituents. Thus, primaries play a significant role in the democratic process, influencing party strategy and voter engagement leading up to the general election.