JSTOR

Scholars are divided regarding both the extent and effect of crossover voting in open presidential primaries. Much of the controversy stems from the dissimilar and unsatisfactory manner in which various scholars have conceptualized and operationalized the term "crossover voting." Measurements of crossover voting performed thus far have been insensitive to the partisan tendencies of independent-leaners, and have not considered adequately whether pure independents casting primary ballots should be included as crossover voters. The differences between pure independents and independent-leaners are so substantial that an altogether different category should be used to denote the penetration of partisan primary electorates by pure independents.