closed primary

noun

a direct primary in which only persons meeting tests of party membership may vote.

Origin

1940-45, Americanism

Examples from the web for closed primary

Because the presidential primary is a closed primary you must make a ballot type selection in writing.
Fuel handling operations were performed in a closed primary system at high temperatures sufficient to maintain coolant liquidity.
During a closed primary, you can vote only for a candidate belonging to the same political party as you.

British Dictionary definitions for closed primary

closed primary

noun

(US, government) a primary in which only members of a particular party may vote Compare open primary

closed primary in Culture

closed primary definition

A type of direct primary limited to registered party members, who must declare their party affiliation in order to vote. The closed primary serves to encourage party unity and prevent members of other parties from infiltrating and voting to nominate weak candidates. (Compare open primary.)