“Elections in the United States”
Ch. 7, Sec. 1
How does a candidate get from this point…
… to this point?
Let’s illustrate why “narrowing
the field” is important…
“$1,000 Bill example”


…narrows the field of possible candidates for
public office.
Why do political parties
need to “narrow the field?”
Now, let’s look at the
nominating process!
(We will use the Presidency as an example)
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Success!
•Self-Announcement
•_______/______
•________ ___________
•Party’s Nomination!

Rick Perry and his big announcement...

Ron Paul announces he is running in 2012...

And one last one, for craps and giggles...

Self-announcement is the first step in the
process!
Once the candidate has announced their intentions for the
Presidency…
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Success!
•Self-Announcement
•Primary/Caucus
•________ ___________
•Party’s Nomination!

Primary elections are run by state and local
governments…
 Are definitely elections…
 Cost South Carolina approx. $1.5 million!

Caucuses are private events run by the
political parties themselves!
 Are definitely NOT elections, more like meetings

Primary elections are an essential part of this
nomination process!
 Primary Elections: an election in which party members
or voters select candidates for the General Election.

“Indirect Election”…

Two types of primaries…

Closed primaries…
 Voters cannot vote for a candidate in the opposite
party.
 EX) If you are an identified Democrat, you can only
vote for a Democratic candidate. (OHIO/“Semi-Closed”)

Open primaries…
 Voters can vote for a candidate in any party.
 Only one vote can be cast, of course. No party
affiliation need be made or adhered to.
Now, here is where it gets
confusing – BUT, we will try
and keep it simple!
Each state has a portion of these delegates given to them
to give to the Republican candidates…
(It is a similar process for Democrats, as well)
As each state holds their primary or
caucus, delegates are awarded to the
competitors in relation to how they
finish…



“Blanket”
“Run-off” (Round two)
Non-partisan election
Once the candidate has announced their intentions for the
Presidency…
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Success!
•Self-Announcement
•Primary/Caucus
•National Convention
•Party’s Nomination!

The National Convention is the final step in
the nomination process…
 Purpose of the convocation is to officially nominate a
candidate in an upcoming U.S. presidential election!

Signifies the end of primary season and the
start of campaigning for a general election.
 In recent years, the nominee has been known well
before the convention…

2000 - Republican National Convention
Sarah Palin, 2008 RNC - Vice Pres.
Candidate
(it’s a big party, basically)
2004 RNC - Protest
2008 DNC - John Legend