Hennepin County, Minnesota, conducts the first direct party primary in the nation’s history.  The choice of the voters helps the party hierarchy determine which is the most popular candidate to run against opposing parties in the general election.

       NOTE: With the adoption of the Australian (secret) ballot—which is controlled by government, not candidates or political parties—control over the nomination process, as well as the election, has increasingly fallen under the purview of government gatekeepers.

       [restored 5/27/2022] Thanks to Chuck McGlawn for this entry.