What characterizes an open primary?

An open primary is characterized by allowing all registered voters to participate in the primary election, regardless of their party affiliation. This means that individuals who are registered as independents or members of other parties can choose to vote in one party's primary election, making it different from closed primaries, where only registered party members can vote for their party's candidates. The open primary system encourages broader participation in the electoral process and allows for a more diverse electorate to influence the candidate selection process. This can lead to candidates who are more representative of a wider range of voter preferences.