The Primary Election

• Primaries are different from state to state, but the ending result is usually the same: People choose the candidate that best represents them and their party's interests. In the early twentieth century, a movement was introduced that would give the citizens more freedom to select the candidate they want, and not have to follow the lead of someone else or the party's. Each individual (registered) voter now has the ability to vote during the primary using a secret ballot, without having his choice made public. In America, there are two types of primaries: open and closed. Each of these two types choose who's eligible to vote in the primaries. In a closed primary, a voter may only vote for the party in which he is affiliated. For example, if you're a registered Republican voter, you are only allowed to vote in the Republican Primary; if you're a registered Democrat, you are only allowed to vote in the Democrat Primary. In an open primary, however, each voter can vote in either primary regardless of his party affiliation. Even with this, a voter cannot vote in both primaries, though. Another, but not as popular, method is called the blanket primary. This allows all registered voters to participate in all primaries if they wish.
  
  

The Caucus

• The caucus is the original way for selecting candidates, but has declined more and more since the primary was first conducted in the 1900s. The states that still decide to hold caucuses are required to announce the date, time, as well as the location of the meeting. Those voters that are registered with the respective party are generally the only ones allowed to attend. The caucuses serve a purpose; the delegates who will represent their state at the convention are chosen here and then support their state's interests. At this meeting, all prospective delegates are either committed or uncommitted to a certain candidate. This process can take some time, but at the end of the meeting the respective delegates are chosen and thus will represent their state at the National Party Convention.
  
  

The National Party Convention

• Before a general election can take place, there needs to be a selection process conducted to see which candidate will represent the respective parties. This is called a convention (such as the Republican National Convention) and is held by each of the two major parties every four years. During this process, each individual state chooses delegates which then are sent to the convention. All delegates are apportioned by their respective state's representation, and extra delegates are only allowed to attend if their state had a majority vote for their party in recent elections. Each state has its own rules for choosing delegates (and at times, it can be different each year). Delegates are chosen to attend the convention by two processes: the caucus and the primary. At the National Party Conventions, the nominees connect and share their beliefs, thoughts and experiences with the American people, rallying the support of its prospective voters.