What characterizes a closed primary in elections?

A closed primary is characterized by allowing only registered members of a political party to participate in the voting process. This means that individuals must be affiliated with a specific party, having registered as such, to be eligible to vote in that party's primary election. The purpose of a closed primary is to ensure that only those who are officially part of a political party can influence the candidates for that party, thus maintaining party integrity and preventing members of opposing parties from affecting the nomination process.

In contrast, open primaries allow any registered voter to participate, regardless of party affiliation, while independent voters are typically excluded from closed primaries. Voting by secret ballot is a standard practice in elections but is not a defining feature of closed primaries specifically. The specific requirement for party affiliation to vote is what distinctly characterizes a closed primary.