Presidential elections

Question 1

Background of the process

Answer 1

• The US has fixed term elections that occur every 4 years as lain down by article 2 of the constitution. It has a number of stages.

1. Invisbible primary
2. Primaries and caucuses
3. Chosing VP candidates
4. National party conventions
5. General election campaign between the parties
6. Election day
7. Electoral college vote

Question 2

Invisble primaries

Answer 2

This takes place a calender year before the election, it is important for presidential candidates to gain name recognition and money, there is sometimes a high correlation between who leads the polls at the end of the invisible primary and who wins the presidential nomination.

• Candidates announcements
• Increasing name recognition
• Fundraising
• Tv debates

Question 3

Primaries and Caucuses

Answer 3

This is the second stage of the process taking place from january to early june.
- A primary is an election to choose a party candidate for an elective office, in this case the presidency.
- A caucus is a meeting of party supporters for the selection of a party candidate for an elective office.

Question 4

Caucuses

Answer 4

• These states are usually geographically large with small populations, Iowa and Nevada for example.
• In 2016 the republicans held them in 20 states and the democrats in 14.
• They require voters to attend a metting rather than go to a pollng station.

Question 5

Primary

Answer 5

These have two functions, firstly to show the popularity of the presidential candidate and to choose delegates to go to the national party conventions.

Question 6

National party conventions

Answer 6

This usually takes place 3-4 months or so before the election.
- Confirms the presidential and vice presidential candidates.
- Deciding the party platform, policies that the candidate persues.
- Promoting party unity and enthusing voters.