5.2 Political Participation- Campaigns and Elections

Only registered party members may vote

• Primary Election

• Open Primary

• Closed Primary

• Caucus

People vote to nominate their party's candidate for the general election

• Primary Election

• Open Primary

• Closed Primary

• Caucus

Any registered voter can participate in either party's primary

• Primary Election

• Open Primary

• Closed Primary

• Caucus

A meeting of party members to choose a party's candidate for the general election

• Primary Election

• Open Primary

• Closed Primary

• Caucus

Winner takes political office; final candidates

• Primary Season

• Party Conventions

• General Elections

Officially nominate the party's presidential candidate; formally adopt a party platform

• Primary Season

• Party Conventions

• General Elections

Primaries and caucuses held in 50 states over the course of about 5 months

• Primary Season

• Party Conventions

• General Elections

Campaign experience; Network of donors; already seen as "presidential"

• Electoral College

• Swing States/Battleground

• Incumbency Advantage

The people who officially elect the president; 48 states give all of their electoral votes to the candidate who receives the most votes in their state; small states are overrepresented

• Electoral College

• Swing States/Battleground States

• Incumbency Advantage

Candidates focus their resources on competitive states with more electoral votes

• Electoral College

• Swing States/Battleground

• Incumbency Advantage