Final answer:
A primary election is where the general electorate assists a political party in selecting its candidates for the next election. Modes include open and closed primaries, and sometimes run-off primaries are needed. Other types of elections include general elections, special elections, and caucuses.
Step-by-step explanation:
An election in which the general electorate assists a political party in selecting its candidates to represent that political party in the next election is known as a c) Primary election. The primary election is the first stage in the election cycle where parties determine their nominees. Parties can use either a closed primary, where only party members can vote, or an open primary, where any voter can choose which party's primary they wish to vote in, but they can only vote in one party's primary. In some cases, if no candidate receives a majority of votes, a run-off primary may be necessary to determine the party's nominee.
The other types of elections include the general election, where the selected party nominees run against each other, and special elections, which are held to fill vacancies that occur when an officeholder dies or resigns. A caucus is a less common method of selecting party nominees, which involves party members meeting to discuss and vote on candidates.