Which election type allows voters to select candidates from different parties?

An open primary is a type of election that permits voters to choose candidates from any party, regardless of their own registered party affiliation. This format encourages a broader participation and interaction among voters, as individuals who may align with one party can still help select candidates from another party, potentially leading to candidates that reflect a wider array of political views.

In contrast, a closed primary restricts voting to only registered party members, meaning that only those affiliated with a party can vote in its primary elections. The top-two primary allows all candidates, regardless of party, to compete on a single ballot, with the top two candidates advancing to the general election, but voters still generally select candidates from the same ballot rather than choosing freely among parties. Meanwhile, a runoff primary occurs when no candidate secures the required majority in the initial primary, leading to a secondary election among the top candidates, which also does not provide the same flexibility as an open primary.