Nominating a Presidential Candidate
In the United States, a presidential
candidate is chosen by voters in what are known as state primaries.
State primaries are state-wide elections in which voters choose a
party's candidate for president as well as party delegates (representatives)
who will officially nominate the candidate. Many states have closed
primaries (only registered party members can vote) while others have
open primaries (any registered voter can vote). It is important for
a presidential candidate to win state primaries because the winner
gets the support of most of the party delegates. In addition, the
winner also receives national publicity and more financial support
from the party. The first of these state primaries is held in the
state of New Hampshire in early February of an election year.
After each party has selected its delegates, it holds a national convention (political meeting). This is where the nomination procedure takes place when each state's party delegates are called to present their votes in support of a candidate. A party's choice of a presidential candidate is officially announced at the party's national convention although the choice of a candidate actually takes place during state primaries. In other words, the candidate nominated in national conventions is the same one that is chosen in state primaries. Because national conventions are widely reported by television and newspapers, they serve as a means of bringing together party supporters across the country. The conventions are also used to make statements about the party's general policies.
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