preliminary elections
Primary elections or primaries is what these elections are called.
Primary
Recall elections
Candidates
It is called voter registration.
Perhaps you are referring to the party caucuses and primary elections that choose the candidates.
The three types of elections in Arizona are primary elections, general elections, and special elections. Primary elections are held to select party candidates for the general election. General elections determine who will hold office. Special elections are called to fill vacant offices or vote on specific issues outside the regular election cycle.
Presidential Elections
Democracies.
It's the day when elections are held (and the name The Day When Elections Are Held was too long).
A place for people to vote can be called a polling station, therefore, polls are part of elections. I wouldn't say that they actually conduct elections, however. People do that, not polling stations.
In Arizona, the three types of elections held are primary elections, general elections, and special elections. Primary elections determine the candidates for each political party who will run in the general election. General elections are held to select officeholders for various positions, including federal, state, and local offices. Special elections can be called for specific purposes, such as filling vacancies or voting on specific issues or measures.