Final answer:
A primary election is where voters choose their party's nominees. There are different types of primaries, including open, closed, and run-off. The selected nominees go on to compete in the general election.
Step-by-step explanation:
An election in which voters choose the party's nominees is called a primary election. During this process, state political parties decide whether to hold a primary or a caucus. Primary elections can be of various types, such as open primaries, where any voter can choose which party's primary to participate in; closed primaries, which allow only registered party members to vote for their party's nominee; and run-off primaries, which occur if no candidate secures a majority of votes in the initial primary. The outcome of primary elections determines which candidate will represent their party in the general election. Additionally, at national conventions, party members officially vote for a final presidential nominee, with the winning candidates usually selecting their vice-presidential running mates at this stage.