Embassy of the United States of America

Selecting the presidential candidates

 Republican presidential nominee addresses the 2012 Republican National Convention. © AP Images How are presidential candidates chosen?

uring the summer of Today the process is more What’s the difference between a a presidential election year, transparent, and for about the last 60 primary and a caucus? Dthe Republicans and years, each party’s presidential States choose most of their Democrats each hold a national nominee was known before its delegates in primary elections, convention where they adopt a convention began. caucuses, or some combination of “platform” of policies and nominate Each state (plus the District the two. A number of additional their party’s candidates for president of Columbia and several U.S. “superdelegates” are appointed by and vice president. Today, a simple territories) is allotted a number of virtue of their positions in the majority of delegates’ votes is needed delegates—typically determined by party. Primaries and caucuses dif- to capture the nomination. fer in how they are organized and the state’s population but adjusted who participates. And rates of par- In earlier times, the conventions were by a formula that awards bonuses ticipation differ widely. exciting, with outcomes uncertain for factors like whether a state and candidates rising and falling voted for the party’s candidate in Primaries: State governments fund with each ballot. Sometimes the last presidential election. Most and conduct primary elections much negotiations were held in delegates are “pledged” to support a as they would any election: Voters “smoke-filled” hotel rooms, where particular candidate, at least on go to a polling place, vote and cigarette- and cigar-smoking party the first ballot, and no convention leave. Voting is anonymous and leaders cut deals to secure their has required more than one ballot quickly accomplished. Some states preferred candidate the required to nominate its presidential hold “closed” primaries in which delegate votes. candidate for many years. only declared party members can Selecting the presidential candidates participate. For example, only registered Democrats can vote in a closed Democratic primary. In an open primary, all voters can participate, regardless of their party affiliation or lack of affiliation.

Caucuses: State political parties organize caucuses, in which faithful party members speak openly on behalf of the candidates they support for the party nomination. They are communal events in which participants vote publicly. Caucuses tend to favor candidates who have dedicated and organized supporters who can use the caucus to elect convention delegates pledged to their favored presidential candidate. Each state chooses convention delegates in a primary election, a caucus, or both. Caucus participants also identify and prioritize issues they want to produce the strongest possible include in the state or national party and Nebraska, Republicans hold primaries while Democrats convene candidate. For example, in 2016, the platform. Participation in a caucus caucuses. In Kentucky, Democrats Republicans will allow states that requires a high level of political hold a primary and Republicans hold their primaries after March 15 engagement and time. Consequently, a caucus. to award their delegates “winner- caucuses tend to attract fewer take-all,” so that the candidate who participants than primaries. For many years, Iowa has held the earns the most votes—even if it’s first caucuses, generally in January only, say, 25 percent of the votes or early February of the presidential How many states hold a primary or in an eight-candidate field—will election year, and New Hampshire a caucus and when are they held? capture all that state’s delegates. the first primary, a short time later. Historically, only a few states held Because these and other early A major outcome of the proliferation presidential primaries or caucuses. contests frequently establish which and acceleration of primaries and But the trend has been toward candidates lack enough support to caucuses is that the nominees of the greater voter participation in the contend seriously for the presidency, major parties are known before the presidential nomination process. candidates expend great effort in national party conventions are held The number of states holding prima- these early states, addressing their in late summer. This has diminished ries or caucuses started increasing needs and interests and organizing the importance of the national in the 1970s. Today all 50 states and campaigns within even smaller nominating conventions, which have the District of Columbia have either states, spending money on staff, become largely ceremonial events. presidential primaries or caucuses. media and hotels. As a result, more Learn more in our States choose whether they want and more states schedule their free publication to hold a primary or a caucus, and primaries and caucuses in the USA Elections in some states have switched from one winter months. Many states hold Brief. It’s a free format to the other over time. their events on the same day. download at Some states have both primaries and The major parties frequently tweak share.america. caucuses. For example, in Alaska the rules in ways they hope will gov/u-s-elections.

Published February 2016 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUREAU OF INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION PROGRAMS