Introduction

The introduction sets forth the context of the modern presidential nominating process as shaped by post-1968 reforms that promised all party members the opportunity for full, timely, and equal participation in the selection of party nominees. The introduction prefaces the book’s central argument that, contrary to this promise, our front-loaded, sequential nominating process regularly affords some party members outsized influence in the nominating process while leaving many undisputed party members with little or no voice in the selection of their party’s nominee. A chapter overview is provided, previewing the author’s argument in support of adopting a same-day national primary.