WASHINGTON – Monday marks the beginning of the election events for the American Presidential race, kicking off from January 15 with the primary elections in Iowa and culminating on November 5 with the Presidential elections.
The presidential race stretches over 294 days, starting with primary elections within both Republican and Democratic parties, followed by national conventions to nominate the official candidate for the presidency. This culminates with three presidential debates, in addition to one vice-presidential debate, leading up to the general election day.
The new President will take the oath on January 20, 2024, and after the ceremony at Congress, proceeds to the White House (European)
What are the Primaries?
Primaries are elections conducted by the two major parties in all fifty American states and the capital, Washington, D.C., in addition to five American territories.
Starting this year with Iowa on January 15, it will end on June 4 with the states of New Jersey and New Mexico for the Republicans, and June 8 for the Democrats.
The primaries witness the competition between candidates of each party for their party’s nomination to compete at the national level.
If a candidate wins a primary, they either win all the delegates of that state or a proportion of them, according to each state’s election rules. These delegates vote for the winning candidate at the national convention of the party.
Does the US Constitution Require Primaries to be Held?
The Constitution does not address the issue of primaries; they are conducted based on party rules and state laws.
State governments conduct these primaries in the same manner as the presidential elections.
State laws determine whether primaries will be closed, which means only party-registered voters can vote, or open, allowing non-party members to vote as well. The state also decides whether the election will be done through ballots or caucuses (Caucus).
Are Primary Elections Held for the Democratic Party?
Yes, most states do have primaries for both parties. Despite the broad focus on the Republican primaries, there will be symbolic and less significant Democratic primaries.
Some states may cancel the Democratic primaries due to a lack of competition, to save expenses from the viewpoint of their legislative council and state governor and secretary.
Three obscure candidates with no chance to defeat current President Joe Biden are competing for the Democratic Party’s nomination: Dean Phillips, a member of the House of Representatives from Minnesota; author Marianne Williamson; and environmental activist Robert Kennedy.
Four Republican candidates are competing for the nomination, led by former President Donald Trump, competing with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and media executive Vivek Ramaswamy.
Biden (right) and Trump are expected to face off again in the upcoming presidential elections (Associated Press)
What’s the Difference Between Ballot Voting and Caucuses for Voters?
Most American states adopt the traditional ballot voting method in their primaries, where voters choose from a list of candidates, and the candidate with the most votes wins.
Some states, like Iowa and Arizona, use a caucus system where voters gather in party groups in schools, sports clubs, and public libraries to debate and agree on a candidate.
Delegates then vote for the winning candidate, and the party attempts to present unity and overcome the divisions from the primary elections.
Are Delegates Committed to Their States’ Election Results?
Yes, elected delegates are obligated to vote according to the outcomes in their states.
If no candidate receives the required number of delegates in the first round of voting, the convention becomes “contested.” Only then, under the party’s new rule amendment, can superdelegates vote in the second balloting process, freeing elected delegates from their commitment to their state results.
Who are the Superdelegates?
Superdelegates are an elite group within the party, including all Democratic Congress members, past party leaders, Democratic state governors, high-ranking party officials, members of the National Committee, and state party leaders.
The Democratic Party introduced this category in 1982 and gives them the right to participate in selecting the party’s presidential candidate, numbering 746 this year. They only vote if the first ballot round doesn’t produce a winner.
What Majority is Required for a Candidate to Win in a Contested Convention?
In a “contested” Democratic convention, the total number of elected delegates becomes 3945, including 746 superdelegates. To win the party’s nomination in the second balloting process, a candidate must receive 1973 delegates.
For Republicans, there are 2429 delegates, with the winning candidate needing 1215.
A previous presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump (Getty)
What Happens After Each Party’s Presidential Candidate is Known?
Preparations begin for the party’s general convention, with the Republicans holding theirs in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from July 15 to 18.
The Democrats will hold their general party convention in Chicago, Illinois, from August 19 to 22. At the end of the convention, the party’s presidential candidate is presented.
When are the Presidential Debates Held?
The race then moves to a critical stage, the presidential debates, with three scheduled debates and one vice-presidential debate. Locations and timings are yet to be determined.
How is the Winner of the Presidential Election Determined?
The candidate who obtains the majority of votes in the Electoral College (equal to the number of its members in the House and Senate) becomes President of the United States. Winning 270 votes or more secures victory, regardless of the majority of popular votes.
What is the Electoral College?
Though American elections allow for the direct election of the president via citizen voting, the Constitution designed a system where the president is chosen by a group of delegates known as the “Electoral College”.
Theoretically, state delegates vote for the candidate who won the majority of votes. Winning the White House requires acquiring 270 out of 538 votes.
California is the largest state in terms of delegate numbers with 55, followed by Texas with 38. The smallest include eight states each with 3 delegates, such as Wyoming and Alaska.
Can a Candidate Win the Popular Vote but Lose the Election?
Yes, and this has happened several times in recent decades. Hillary Clinton was the last example of a candidate losing despite winning the popular vote.
Clinton led in the American popular vote with nearly 2.9 million more votes than Trump.
Clinton received 65 million, 863 thousand, 516 votes, or 48.18%, against Trump’s 62 million, 824 thousand, 984 votes, or 46.09%.
Does the President Move to the White House Immediately After the Election?
No, the new President — or re-elected one — does not immediately move after winning. The oath of office takes place on January 20, following a large ceremony, a tradition established by the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ratified in 1933.
After the ceremony in Congress, the President heads to the White House for the four-year term.
