EXPLAINER: What is Louisiana's 'jungle primary'?

On Nov. 8, Louisiana voters go to the polls, just like in states across the country — only they'll technically be voting in a primary election that includes candidates from all corners. Their votes may determine which candidates will occupy offices at all levels of the state's government, or which candidates go on to a runoff.

Here's a look at Louisiana's unique system, unofficially called a “jungle primary,” and discussions around changing it:

WHAT IS A ‘JUNGLE PRIMARY’?

In what's thought of as a traditional primary, political candidates only compete against other contenders within their own parties for nominations, to then advance to the general election. States hold their primaries on a variety of dates, with winners competing with one another on the November ballot.

But in a “jungle primary" or “majority vote primary,” all candidates regardless of party run against each other on the same ballot. If no one candidate tops 50% in that primary, the top two vote-getters advance to a head-to-head runoff, which can end up pitting two Republicans or two Democrats against each other.

Even though it's called a primary, this happens on general Election Day.

HAS LOUISIANA ALWAYS DONE THIS?

For state, parish and municipal elections, Louisiana has used an open primary system since 1975. It was designed by then-Gov. Edwin Edwards, who had faced two tough Democratic primary rounds in the 1971 election before his general election run against a Republican opponent who hadn't had the same primary challenges.

Open primaries were first used for Louisiana's federal elections in 1978, when state lawmakers changed rules for U.S. House and Senate. It's not used for Louisiana's presidential primary.

HAVE THERE BEEN PROBLEMS?

Louisiana didn't use open primaries from 2008 to 2010 because of...