What is the purpose of the presidential primaries?

Answer by  lonelywolf (2117)

They help determine who the voters in each party feels should be their representative in the general election. Without primaries, candidates would either be chosen by secret back room deals among party elites, or else each party would have dozens of candidates in the general election.

Answer by  mjl10 (282)

The purpose of Presidential primaries is to allow for direct democracy amongst the American people. Instead of having Party loyalists choose the candidate, regular people can vote. It also means that candidates have to be more attuned to local politics and situations than they would otherwise- they need that local vote.