Final answer:
Candidates running in the primary are talking to more ideological voters and then to more general population voters in the general election. In the primary elections, candidates engage more with ideological voters within their party to gain the nomination, emphasizing detailed policy positions. During general elections, candidates focus on reaching a broader electorate, including undecided voters and party members, aiming for a wider appeal to ensure high voter turnout.
Step-by-step explanation:
Candidates running in the primary are talking to more ideological voters and then to more general population voters in the general election.
In the context of primary elections, candidates focus on engaging with voters who are more likely to be actively involved with and ideologically aligned to their party. These voters often require more information about the candidates to make an informed decision, as they may choose from multiple contenders within the same party. It's important that candidates establish name recognition and clarify their issue positions to appeal to these ideologically driven voters.
Conversely, during the general election, the focus shifts to the broader electorate, which includes members of the candidate's party, independents, and swing voters. This necessitates a different strategy where candidates aim to win over undecided voters and ensure a high voter turnout among their party's base by stressing issues that appeal to a wider audience. Campaign efforts are more intense in states with closely contested races, where swaying a small number of undecided voters could significantly impact the election's outcome.