Final answer:
Primary elections are held within a political party to select the party's nominee, while general elections involve candidates from different parties and determine the winner of an office.
Step-by-step explanation:
Primary elections are held within a political party to determine the party's nominee for a specific office. These elections involve only members of the party and aim to select a candidate who represents the party's values and platform. General elections, on the other hand, are open to all eligible voters and determine the winner among the candidates from different parties for a specific office.
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