Why do Territories have primaries

[mot78]

I was looking at the other thread that lists states and their primaries, and I saw US. Territories on there, like Guam, American Somoa, and Puerto Rico. Why do they get to vote in primaries when they can't vote in the actual GE?

[mr_hat]

1. Terrorists hate our primaries. They hate our freedoms.

[DCDemo]

2. At least they don't have to pay Federal Income Taxes!!!!!

Here in DC, we do get to vote for Pres, but have no true Congressional representation, and no power to do as we choose.

And of course we get taxed by the Feds.

If you ever do talk to your Reps or Senators in Congress, please ask them to support DC statehood, or full representation/self-control.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. The Party rules give delegates to the territories

[mot78]

4. Strange

I wish they'd give the territories the right to vote. They're technically part of the US. so shouldn't they be allowed to vote in Presidential elections?

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. Only states are given electoral votes

Except DC, which was given those by the 23rd amendment.

[SheilaT]

6. Because the primaries and caucuses

are to select delegates to the national convention which is where the nominee is actually chosen. The presidential primary system is nothing like the primaries for other kinds of elections (mayor, Senator, all other offices that I know of) in which you're directly selecting the person you want to be in the general election. In that way it's somewhat like the presidential election itself, where you're only voting for the slate of electors for the electoral college.

In neither case (primary and general election) are you directly voting for the president or for the candidate you want to be the nominee.