Sore-loser_law
Sore loser law
American election law
In United States politics, a sore loser law is a law prohibiting the loser in a primary election from then running as an independent or representing another political party in the general election.[1][2]
Some states accomplish the same goal by having simultaneous registration dates for the primary and the general election. Only the states of Connecticut, Iowa, and New York have neither a sore loser law nor simultaneous registration deadlines.[3]
Richard Winger, a ballot researcher, is of the opinion that in most states these laws do not apply to presidential candidates.[4]