The Primary

About this board game

The Primary is a presidential primary election board game for 1–5 players, played over approximately 60 minutes. Across 11 rounds, candidates travel the country, host rallies and fundraisers, advertise, and seek the favor of powerful Super PACs.

Each round unfolds through four phases: News, Action, Vote, and Organize. In the News phase, a News card introduces an effect that can force movement, provide an extra action, grant influence, or otherwise require you to adjust your plans.

The Action phase challenges you to anticipate the opposition. Select four Action cards from your hand and commit them face down in a queue, then execute them one at a time. Bus and Plane cards offer flexibility, while Positive Ad and Negative Ad cards can be used anywhere.

• Plan a sequence of four hidden actions.
• Travel between regions and build influence through campaigning.
• Adapt to changing News card effects.
• Predict opponents’ strategies during regional elections.

During the Vote phase, one or more regions may vote—or none may vote, giving candidates a break from the campaign pressure. The player with the most influence in each voting region wins delegates, bringing them closer to victory.

Success in The Primary depends on timing, flexibility, and reading the plans of competing candidates. When the 11th round ends, the candidate with the most delegates wins the game.