What is the purpose of the primary election ?

This is my first year of voting what does this have to do with the real election?

Public Comments

1. The primaries decide what candidates will be running to represent their respective parties in the general election this year.
2. The primary elections decide who will be nominated by the two parties to be in the General Election in November.
3. The primary election selects the nominee for each party and then the general election decides who wins the Presidency.
4. You must win your party's primary election in order to have your name on the November ballot for President. You vote for one candidate from the party of your choice during the primary election. Each state has its own rules regarding primary elections. In some states, you must be a registered member of a party in order to participate. If you are interested in participating, check with your county clerk's office to find out what rules apply in your state. Voting in the primary is the only way to have a say in who is on the ballot to be elected in November! It's very important!
5. Unfortunately... America, the melting pot of the world, the most diverse nation in the world comes down to only 2 things in regards to politics. Republicans and Democrats. The "purpose" of the primary election is for Republican and Democratic Civilians (you and me, us) to nominate a Republican and Democratic candidate for President. It is this candidate that will receive the support (financial, etc.) of the entire party after the Primaries are over. So right now we have a bunch of Republicans and a bunch of Democrates going from state to state win over their respective Parties. At the end of the Primaries there will be one democratic nomination and one republican nomination that will be determined at the Republican and Democrat National Conventions. Basically, one of these two will be the next president of the United States. Because I'm a registered independent, and vote for candidates based on their character, personality, policies and trustworthiness (basically who they are) and not on what party they belong too - I don't participate in the Primaries, but reserve my right to vote for the actual presidency - after following the year of politics and debates.
6. The primaries decide who is going to be running in the general election as the democrat and republican.