Other Primary Reform Concepts

A number of plans for reforming the presidential primary system have been proposed in addition to the Graduated Random System. Table 12 provides a basis for classifying the various proposals. First, a number of non-schedule-based solutions will be examined, then a group of schedule incentive plans. Systems that specifically formulate a schedule of primaries and caucuses appear to comprise three categories: fixed schedules, rotating schedules, and random schedules. Some of these geographically differentiate by region, while others do not. Some systems distribute the voting of the population over time in proportional manner, others in a graduated manner, still others in a non-proportional manner, and one system schedules all of the primaries as a single event. This section discusses the pros and cons of these other proposals, and in the case of scheduling systems, compares them with the Graduated Random System.