How are presidential candidates selected?

Presidential candidates are chosen through a months-long process of state primaries and caucuses, followed by a national party convention. Voters in each state choose delegates who are pledged to support particular candidates, and the candidate who wins a majority of delegates receives the party's nomination.

Primaries vs caucuses

Primaries are state-run elections where voters cast secret ballots for their preferred candidate. They can be "open" (any registered voter can participate), "closed" (only registered party members), or "semi-open" (various rules about registration). Most states now use primaries.

Caucuses are party-run meetings where voters gather, discuss candidates, and vote (sometimes publicly). They typically have lower turnout and require more time commitment. Iowa traditionally held the first caucuses, though its role has diminished after 2020 controversies.

The delegate math

Each state is allocated delegates based on factors including population and past party performance. Democrats require a simple majority of approximately 1,968 pledged delegates (out of roughly 3,936) to win on the first ballot. Republicans have similar structures with varying thresholds.

Democrats also have "superdelegates"—party officials and elected leaders who can vote at the convention—though rules now restrict their role to later ballots if no candidate wins a majority of pledged delegates initially.

The invisible primary

Before any votes are cast, candidates compete in an "invisible primary"—building name recognition, raising money, securing endorsements, and performing in debates. This period often winnows the field before primary voting begins.

The national convention

Each party holds a national convention in summer of the election year. Delegates formally vote to nominate the presidential candidate, who then announces their vice presidential selection. The convention also adopts the party platform and generates media attention for the general election campaign.