Construction of statutes applicable to primary elections. (1) Statutes applicable to primary elections shall be construed as though the primary elections are separate elections for each major political party nominating candidates

(2) The primary elections shall be conducted as nearly as possible according to the theory expressed in the preamble to chapter 1, Oregon Laws 1905. [1979 c.190 §226; 1987 c.267 §37; 1995 c.712 §53; 1999 c.999 §46]