Why Should I Vote in the Primaries?

 People don’t always ask this as a real question. It’s usually rhetorical, laced with frustration.

“Why should I vote in the primary in 2025?”
It’s the kind of thing folks say when they feel buried under a mountain of names, candidates, and choices they don’t understand. And deep down, they’re wondering: What difference does it make if I vote now, if the “real” election happens later anyway?

But here’s the truth most people miss:

Primaries are where the real power lives.

If you skip the primary, you’re letting other people decide who shows up on your ballot in the general election. You're surrendering the ability to shape the field and choosing instead to live with whatever choices are handed to you.

And those choices may not reflect your values—or your community’s needs.

What is a Primary Election, Anyway?

A primary election is the process each political party uses to choose its one nominee for the general election. That’s it. Think of it like a semi-final round. The winners from each party’s primary go on to compete in the general election in November.

There are three types of primary systems in the U.S., and which one your state uses matters:

1. Closed Primary

  • You can only vote in the primary of the party you’re registered with.
  • If you’re a Democrat, you vote in the Democratic primary. If you’re a Republican, you vote in the Republican primary.
  • If you’re an Independent or unaffiliated, you can’t vote at all unless the party invites you.

Examples: Florida, New York, Pennsylvania

2. Open Primary

  • Anyone can vote in one party’s primary—regardless of party affiliation.
  • You could be a registered Democrat and choose to vote in the Republican primary, or vice versa.

Examples: Texas, Michigan, Virginia, Alabama

3. Top-Two Blanket Primary

  • All candidates appear on one ballot, regardless of party.
  • You vote for whoever you want.
  • The top two vote-getters, no matter their party, go to the general election.

Examples: California, Washington

Why People Don’t Vote in Primaries (And Why That’s Dangerous)

Most people skip primaries because:

  • There are too many candidates to research
  • They feel uninformed
  • They assume their vote won’t matter
  • They don’t realize the real decisions get made in the primary

But here’s the truth: Your vote counts more in the primary than it often does in the general. Why? Because fewer people show up—so every single vote carries more weight.

And guess what? The people who do show up are often the most politically extreme, so the nominees that emerge don’t always reflect the broader public. If moderate, thoughtful people stay home, the ballot you get in November might be between two options that feel like extremes.

That’s how people get boxed into voting for “the lesser of two evils.”

How to Learn About the Candidates

Feeling overwhelmed by all the names? You’re not alone. But there are tools to help you learn who’s running in your state and what they stand for.

Start here:

You don’t have to read every candidate’s entire platform. Look for a voter guide in your area. Some organizations give side-by-side comparisons of major issues. Even skimming one or two sources can give you enough to make an empowered decision.

A Special Note for New York City Voters: Ranked Choice Voting

If you live in NYC, your primary vote isn’t just about picking one person—it’s about ranking multiple candidates in the order you prefer them.

Here’s how Ranked Choice Voting works:

  1. Pick your favorite candidate and fill in the oval in column 1.
  2. Pick your second favorite and fill in their oval in column 2, and so on—up to five choices.
  3. You can only mark one candidate in each column—no doubling up.
  4. Do NOT mark the same candidate in more than one column (i.e., don't make them your first, second, and third choice—that invalidates your ballot).
  5. Don’t skip numbers—rank just like you count: 1, 2, 3…

If you make a mistake, your ballot may be partially or fully disqualified. So follow the instructions carefully. Learn more about ranked choice voting and view sample ballots at https://www.nycvotes.org.

In Summary: Why Should You Vote in the Primaries?

Because skipping them means:

  • You let others choose your options.
  • You shrink your own political voice.
  • You lose the chance to shape the future before it’s locked in.

Voting in the primary is where strategy meets soul. It’s not just about politics—it’s about participating in who gets to make the decisions that affect your daily life.

Don’t wait until November to care.
Start where the real decisions are made—
Vote in the primary.