The Nominating Process and Presidential Primaries

“Voting and Elections in the United States”

* How does an individual get from here…

… to here *

* The nominating process narrows the field of possible

candidates for public office! *

Why is “narrowing the field” important?

Example: $1,000

Mitt Romney announces 2012 presidential exploratory committee

* Self-announcement is the first step in the process – usually happens after the previous midterm elections are held *

Step One: Self-Announcement* The potential candidate will form a Presidential Exploratory Committee to see if there is public support for running for the Presidency (MONEY is crucial to the process)

* Primaries are run (and paid for) by state and local governments (ARE

elections) *

Step Two: The Primaries (and Caucuses)

* Caucuses are private events run by the political parties themselves (are NOT elections – more like meetings)!

** This part of the process begins in January the year of a Presidential election – candidates are fighting for

DELEGATES who will go to the National Convention and vote for their candidate! **

* Democrats also use SUPER-DELEGATES who go to the National Convention unpledged and can cast their vote for whoever they please!

The Caucus System

* American Samoa, Guam and the Virgin Islands

* Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Wyoming and Iowa *

The Primary System* Primary Elections are elections held within the party to choose the candidate who will oppose the other party’s candidate *

* A direct primary is an indirect election!

As each state holds their primary or caucus, delegates are awarded to the competitors in relation to

how they finish…

Types of Primaries* Closed primaries – voters cannot vote for a candidate in the opposite party.

* Open primaries – voters can vote for a candidate in any party.

* If you are an identified Democrat, you can only vote for a Democratic candidate. (OHIO is considered a “Semi-Closed” Primary)

* Receive two ballots, cast one – choose on your own.

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 by the RNC to give to the Republican candidates

* 5 “At-large” delegates for each U.S. Senator (10)* 3 “District” delegates for each U.S. Representative (16x3=48)* 3 “Party Leader” delegates (3)* 0 “Electoral College” Bonus delegates* 1 “U.S. Senator” Bonus delegate* 1 “Republican Governor” Bonus delegate* 1 “U.S. House Majority” Bonus delegate* 1 “One Chamber” Bonus delegate* 1 “All Chambers” Bonus delegate

“Winner-take-all” vs. “Proportional” Delegate Distribution

* Democrats use a MUCH MUCH MUCH more complicated system for distributing delegates (I’ll spare you the pain)

Step Three: the National Convention

* The National Convention is the final step in the nomination process

* Purpose of the convention is to officially nominate a candidate for the upcoming Presidential election!

* Signifies the end of primary season and the start of campaigning for the general election…

* Goals for the National Conventions:1. Nominate the President/Vice-President2. Unite the party!3. Create (and accept) the party platform

2012 RNC Highlights

2012 Republican National ConventionTampa, Florida – August 27, 2012

2012 Democratic National ConventionCharlotte, North Carolina – September 6, 2012

2012 DNC Highlights

* How does an individual get from here…

… to here *

* The nominating process narrows the field of possible

candidates for public office! *