In most nations, political party leaders select candidates for office in a general election. The United States is one of the few nations to hold primary elections prior to the general election campaign. In these elections, voters select the party's candidates for office. Progressive Era reformers introduced the primary at the beginning of the 20th century as another way to weaken the influence of political party machines in general elections. The primary is followed by the general election, which normally is the decisive electoral contest.
Some states also provide for referendum voting.
The referendum is a process that allows citizens to vote directly on proposed laws or other governmental actions. Voters in several states have voted to set limits on tax rates, to block state and local spending proposals, to prohibit social services for illegal immigrants, and to deny special legal protection for homosexuals. Although it involves voting, the referendum is not an election. The election is an institution of representative government. In an election, voters choose officials to act for them.