This year’s primary elections showcase some of the problems with US electoral system

Primary voters are much older, somewhat better educated, less racially diverse and wealthier than other eligible voters. CJ Gunther/Getty Images

The last 2026 primary elections were held on Sept. 15 in Delaware. Although totals are not yet available, there is evidence that turnout was higher than in most prior election years.

This year’s primaries were also the most competitive in recent history; 13 congressional incumbents were defeated, the largest number since the 1950s other than the years when redistricting forced some incumbents to run against each other.