Primary Systems

CLASS PrimaryElection:
  // Primaries are run by state governments
  // But rules are set by parties (private organizations)
  
  types = {
    CLOSED: "Only registered party members vote",
    OPEN: "Any voter can participate",
    SEMI_CLOSED: "Party members + independents",
    BLANKET: "All candidates, top-two advance (CA, WA)"
  }
  
  FUNCTION determine_voter_eligibility(voter, primary_type):
    SWITCH primary_type:
      CASE CLOSED:
        // Must register with party weeks/months ahead
        IF voter.party != this.party:
          RETURN INELIGIBLE
          
      CASE OPEN:
        // Anyone can vote, but only in one party's primary
        RETURN ELIGIBLE
        
      CASE SEMI_CLOSED:
        IF voter.party == INDEPENDENT:
          RETURN ELIGIBLE
        ELSE IF voter.party == this.party:
          RETURN ELIGIBLE
        ELSE:
          RETURN INELIGIBLE

// Key issue: Only 27% of eligible voters participate
// These 27% choose options for 100% of voters

CLASS Caucus:
  // Iowa model (Democratic version until 2024)
  
  requirements = {
    time_commitment: "2-3 hours minimum",
    schedule: "Single evening, typically 7pm",
    location: "Must attend precinct location in person",
    participation: "Public declaration of preference"
  }
  
  FUNCTION run_caucus(precinct):
    // Step 1: Attendees physically group by candidate
    groups = separate_by_candidate(attendees)
    
    // Step 2: Viability threshold (usually 15%)
    FOR each group IN groups:
      IF group.size < (total_attendees * 0.15):
        // Non-viable - must realign
        group.status = "ELIMINATED"
        redistribute_supporters(group)
    
    // Step 3: Final count after realignment
    // Awarded as "state delegate equivalents"
    
  // Who can realistically participate?
  excluded_populations = [
    "Workers with evening shifts",
    "Parents without childcare",
    "People with disabilities",
    "Those without transportation",
    "Anyone uncomfortable with public declaration"
  ]
  
  // Iowa 2020: 176,000 caucused out of 2.2M registered
  // That's 8% choosing delegates for 100%

CLASS DemocraticDelegates:
  // Proportional allocation with 15% threshold
  
  FUNCTION allocate(state_results):
    viable_candidates = filter(
      results, 
      candidate => candidate.vote_share >= 0.15
    )
    
    // Delegates split proportionally among viable candidates
    FOR each candidate IN viable_candidates:
      candidate.delegates = round(
        state.total_delegates * 
        (candidate.votes / viable_total_votes)
      )
    
    // Candidates under 15% get ZERO delegates
    // Even with 14.9% of the vote

CLASS RepublicanDelegates:
  // Rules vary wildly by state
  
  allocation_types = {
    "Winner Take All": "Plurality wins all delegates",
    "Winner Take Most": "Statewide + congressional districts",
    "Proportional": "Split by vote share (with threshold)"
  }
  
  // Early states required to be proportional
  // Later states can be winner-take-all
  // This rewards candidates who survive early

CALENDAR_EFFECT:
  super_tuesday_delegates = ~35% of total
  // Candidates without early momentum drop out
  // Many voters never get meaningful choice

CLASS Superdelegates:
  // Democratic party only (Republicans don't have this)
  
  PRE_2020_RULES:
    total_superdelegates = ~715
    percentage_of_total = ~15%
    voting_round = "FIRST"  // Can tip contested race
    
    // 2016: Clinton had 500+ superdelegates before 
    // a single vote was cast
    
  POST_2020_RULES:
    total_superdelegates = ~750  // Still exist
    voting_round = "SECOND"  // Only if contested
    
    // First ballot: Only pledged delegates vote
    // Second ballot (if no majority): 
    //   Superdelegates can vote, pledged delegates unbound
    
  WHO_ARE_SUPERDELEGATES = [
    "All DNC members (~450)",
    "All Democratic governors (~25)",
    "All Democratic senators (~45-50)",
    "All Democratic House members (~210-220)",
    "Distinguished party leaders (former presidents, etc.)"
  ]
  
  FUNCTION assess_influence():
    // Even without first-ballot votes, superdelegates:
    // - Control party infrastructure
    // - Provide endorsements and fundraising
    // - Set convention rules
    // - Dominate media narrative
    
    RETURN "Reduced but not eliminated influence"

// PROBLEM: Current system's structural issues
current_issues = {
  low_participation: "27% turnout in primaries",
  ideological_extremes: "Primary voters more partisan than general",
  calendar_distortion: "Early states have outsized influence",
  party_control: "Rules set by private organizations",
  spoiler_effects: "Similar candidates split votes"
}

// ALTERNATIVE 1: Ranked Choice Primaries
CLASS RankedChoicePrimary:
  FUNCTION count_votes(ballots):
    WHILE no_candidate_has_majority:
      last_place = find_lowest_candidate()
      redistribute_to_second_choices(last_place)
    RETURN winner
  // Used in: Alaska, Maine

// ALTERNATIVE 2: Top-Two/Top-Four Primary  
CLASS JunglePrimary:
  // All candidates on single ballot
  // Top finishers advance regardless of party
  
  FUNCTION run(all_candidates):
    results = single_ballot_election(all_candidates)
    RETURN top_n(results, advance_count)  // Top 2 or 4
  // Used in: California, Washington, Louisiana

// ALTERNATIVE 3: Open Primaries + RCV
CLASS AlaskaModel:
  // Combined: all candidates, all voters, top 4 advance
  // General: Ranked choice among top 4
  
  // 2022 result: Moderate Democrat won in Republican state
  // Because she was acceptable second choice