Dictionary definition of “firehouse primary”

firehouse primary

n. an electoral nominating process similar to a caucus, held in lieu of a primary election. Subjects: English, United States, Politics, Slang

Comments? | Cites | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Citations: 1975 Jules Witcover Washington Post (Oct. 26) “McGovern Takes Blame for ’72” p. 3: The nature of the caucus, or as it is sometimes call the “firehouse primary” because voting takes place in an open room rather than in a closed polling booth, requires more personal, diligent grass-roots organization and wooing of party activists than do most primaries. 1984 Phil Gailey New York Times (Mar. 18) “Mondale Is Victor In Michigan Vote; Also In Arkansas”: In most caucuses, voters debate party platform resolutions, elect local party committee members and then divide into groups according to their Presidential preference. The only item on the Michigan caucus agenda, however, is the Presidential voting, and in that sense, it more resembles a primary than a caucus. “It’s a firehouse primary disguised as a caucus,” Mr. Blumenthal said. “It’s legal even though it’s unfair.” 1999 Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission, Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee Virginia’s Judicial System (Nov. 15) “Commonwealth of Virginia Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee Opinion 99-6”: Political parties in the Commonwealth of Virginia generally employ four methods for selecting party nominees…(3) party canvass or unassembled caucus, also called a “firehouse primary.”…A dissenting argument might be made that although “firehouse primaries,” which typically are restricted to party members and may contain some form of loyalty oath, are political gatherings, primary elections conducted by the State Board of Elections are not political gatherings because all voters may participate. 2000 Scott Hogenson Cybercast News Service (Feb. 23) “Ask For Whom the Bellwether Tolls”: It can also be argued that Tuesday’s results were just another quirky anomaly in Michigan politics, like…Jesse Jackson’s stunning performance in the 1988 Democratic “firehouse” primary. 2000 Richard E. Berg-Andersson The Green Papers (Aug. 16) “Election 2000: South Carolina Democrat”: The presidential primary in South Carolina is known as a “firehouse primary,” as it is being held in conjunction with the party’s precinct meetings at which local party officers are elected and delegates are chosen for the party’s county conventions. 2007 Todd Jackson Roanoke Times (Virginia) (Mar. 8) “Rare, intraparty primary challenges both set for June 12”: In a firehouse primary, a limited number of voting locations are chosen within a legislative district and ballots are cast on one day within a set amount of time, usually shorter than a regularly scheduled election. The party that chooses a firehouse primary is also responsible for organizing, staffing and monitoring such an election. 2007 Chelyen Davis Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia) (May 14) “4 GOP Senate hopefuls in forum”: Chichester announced earlier this spring that he will retire at the end of this term. That sparked an intra-party battle over the nomination method, with one faction favoring an open primary and the other pushing for a Republicans-only method. The result is what’s known as a firehouse primary, which is run by the party, with limited polling places, and open only to Republicans. Voters on Saturday will have to sign an oath vowing to support the Republican nominee in the general election in November.

Posted 16 May 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend