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The marathon U.S. presidential election process

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Americans are a full year from their 2016 presidential election, but there is no slacking between now and November 8, 2016.

A crowded series of events is squeezed into the coming 12 months. Here are the major elements ahead of the election to pick the 45th president of the United States.

Primaries

US citizens in all 50 states and five territories can vote to choose the Democratic and Republican candidates for president. The months-long process serves to whittle the field -- in the case of Republicans, a crowd of 17 candidates -- down to a single flag-bearer for each party.

The process is cumbersome and complex, but ultimately effective. In each of the statewide primaries and caucuses, candidates must win delegates, who are allocated according to statewide vote.

Many US states use proportional representation in apportioning delegates, particularly in the early contests, while others use a winner-take-all approach.

In places like Iowa, the political parties hold what are known as "caucuses," in which voters gather for sit-down meetings to discuss issues and vote for candidates, instead of pulling the lever for their favorite at a polling station.

Over the span of the primaries, whichever candidate obtains an absolute majority of the delegates nationwide secures his or her party's nomination.

Sometimes a winner emerges quickly and the primary race is settled months before a party's convention. But in 2012, Mitt Romney only broke clear of his Republican rivals in April, and did not clinch the nomination until late May.

The first state-wide vote in the process is in Iowa, on February 1, followed by New Hampshire February 9.

Conventions

After the exhaustive primary process, Democrats and Republicans gather for their high-profile conventions, where they formally nominate their presidential candidate.

Republicans this time around hold their convention in Cleveland, Ohio beginning on July 18, while Democrats gather in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania a week later.

The gatherings are four-day patriotic spectacles that showcase the candidate, who is nominated in a prime-time acclamation by delegates on the final evening.

Conclusion of the conventions triggers the "general election" phase, when candidates are free to use funds raised specifically for the general presidential contest.

Three presidential debates

Since 1976, the Democratic and Republican candidates have met in September and October for a series of three high-profile debates, organized by an independent commission. The vice presidential candidates usually square off once as well.

Viewership is high, often drawing television audiences of 60 million or more.

The first nationally televised US presidential debates took place in 1960, when John F. Kennedy debated Richard Nixon.

Election Day and the Electoral College

Election Day is set by law as the Tuesday right after the first Monday in November, although Americans are increasingly turning to early voting, by mail or in person. US territories do not vote in the presidential election, but Washington DC residents do.

The mystery of US politics is most apparent in the mechanism by which the president is chosen, known as the Electoral College. Americans vote for their choice for president, but what they are actually doing is voting for an elector who will cast a ballot on his or her behalf.

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. Each state, based on its population and congressional representation, has a specified number of electors. All but two states are winner-take-all, and a candidate needs 270 electoral college votes to win the White House.

Candidates often forego campaigning in certain states -- like overwhelmingly Democratic California or Republican Texas -- instead focusing on voters in the dozen or so persuadable "swing states" that can have the greatest impact on the election outcome.

Obama's successor takes office January 20, 2017, at an inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol.

Other elections

All 435 members of the House of Representatives will also be on the ballot, as will 34 of the Senate's 100 seats.

Twelve states and two territories will elect their governors, while districts across America will elect several local officials.

Americans are a full year from their 2016 presidential election, but there is no slacking between now and November 8, 2016.

A crowded series of events is squeezed into the coming 12 months. Here are the major elements ahead of the election to pick the 45th president of the United States.

Primaries

US citizens in all 50 states and five territories can vote to choose the Democratic and Republican candidates for president. The months-long process serves to whittle the field — in the case of Republicans, a crowd of 17 candidates — down to a single flag-bearer for each party.

The process is cumbersome and complex, but ultimately effective. In each of the statewide primaries and caucuses, candidates must win delegates, who are allocated according to statewide vote.

Many US states use proportional representation in apportioning delegates, particularly in the early contests, while others use a winner-take-all approach.

In places like Iowa, the political parties hold what are known as “caucuses,” in which voters gather for sit-down meetings to discuss issues and vote for candidates, instead of pulling the lever for their favorite at a polling station.

Over the span of the primaries, whichever candidate obtains an absolute majority of the delegates nationwide secures his or her party’s nomination.

Sometimes a winner emerges quickly and the primary race is settled months before a party’s convention. But in 2012, Mitt Romney only broke clear of his Republican rivals in April, and did not clinch the nomination until late May.

The first state-wide vote in the process is in Iowa, on February 1, followed by New Hampshire February 9.

Conventions

After the exhaustive primary process, Democrats and Republicans gather for their high-profile conventions, where they formally nominate their presidential candidate.

Republicans this time around hold their convention in Cleveland, Ohio beginning on July 18, while Democrats gather in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania a week later.

The gatherings are four-day patriotic spectacles that showcase the candidate, who is nominated in a prime-time acclamation by delegates on the final evening.

Conclusion of the conventions triggers the “general election” phase, when candidates are free to use funds raised specifically for the general presidential contest.

Three presidential debates

Since 1976, the Democratic and Republican candidates have met in September and October for a series of three high-profile debates, organized by an independent commission. The vice presidential candidates usually square off once as well.

Viewership is high, often drawing television audiences of 60 million or more.

The first nationally televised US presidential debates took place in 1960, when John F. Kennedy debated Richard Nixon.

Election Day and the Electoral College

Election Day is set by law as the Tuesday right after the first Monday in November, although Americans are increasingly turning to early voting, by mail or in person. US territories do not vote in the presidential election, but Washington DC residents do.

The mystery of US politics is most apparent in the mechanism by which the president is chosen, known as the Electoral College. Americans vote for their choice for president, but what they are actually doing is voting for an elector who will cast a ballot on his or her behalf.

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. Each state, based on its population and congressional representation, has a specified number of electors. All but two states are winner-take-all, and a candidate needs 270 electoral college votes to win the White House.

Candidates often forego campaigning in certain states — like overwhelmingly Democratic California or Republican Texas — instead focusing on voters in the dozen or so persuadable “swing states” that can have the greatest impact on the election outcome.

Obama’s successor takes office January 20, 2017, at an inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol.

Other elections

All 435 members of the House of Representatives will also be on the ballot, as will 34 of the Senate’s 100 seats.

Twelve states and two territories will elect their governors, while districts across America will elect several local officials.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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