What is another word for preference primary?
Pronunciation: [pɹˈɛfɹəns pɹˈa͡ɪməɹi] (IPA) 
A preference primary, also known as a beauty contest, mock primary or non-binding primary, is an election which allows voters to indicate their preference for a particular candidate or party. There are several synonyms for this type of primary, including a straw poll, a trial heat, a poll of sentiment, or a test vote. While these types of primaries are not legally binding and do not have any direct impact on the allocation of delegates, they can help to gauge public opinion and identify early frontrunners in the race. Preference primaries are often used in conjunction with other more formal primaries or caucuses as a way to generate interest and engage voters early in the election cycle.
