What is raiding in the context of elections?

Raiding refers to the organized effort by members of one political party to participate in another party’s primary election with the intention of influencing the outcome in a way that benefits their own party. This tactic is often used to support a weaker candidate in the opposing party’s primary, potentially making it easier for their preferred candidate to win in the general election.

This strategy is strategically advantageous because it can disrupt the expected outcomes of the opposing party’s primary process, thus altering the dynamics of the general election. Raiding can take various forms, such as a group of voters from one party deliberately registering to vote in the primary of another party, or actively campaigning for a specific candidate within that party who they believe would be easier to defeat in the general election.

Considering the other options, a type of election strategy is too broad and does not capture the specific intent behind raiding. A form of voter fraud inaccurately implies illicit activity when raiding can occur legally within the election framework, provided that participants follow the rules governing primary elections. Increasing voter turnout also does not accurately represent the nature of raiding, as it focuses on boosting participation rather than manipulating the electoral process for strategic advantage.