Political primaries are preliminary elections held by political parties to select their candidates for the general election. During these events, party members vote for their preferred candidate, and the winners typically go on to represent the party in the upcoming election. Primaries can be open, allowing any registered voter to participate, or closed, restricting participation to party members only. The primary process is crucial in shaping the political landscape, as it determines which candidates will compete for positions such as President, Senator, or Governor. This system allows parties to gauge support for their candidates and helps voters become familiar with the individuals vying for office.