President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, and Mr Biden, the Democratic nominee, have (a)   (effective) moved their campaigns indoors, skipping the rallies and rope lines that are typically front and centre in an election season.

Unlike many other countries, in the US, there are only two parties considered by most voters - the Democrats and the Republicans. Other "third-party" candidates sometimes participate, (a)   (occasion) putting forth a nominee.

Before they square off in the general election, presidential hopefuls battle for their party's nomination in primaries. If a candidate wins a primary election, they will win a certain number of delegates who will then vote for them at the party convention, where the presidential (a)   (nominate) is officially named.

It's a system that became widespread for the presidential election in the 1970s. Before that, a nominee was selected by party members at conventions. The primary process is rather uniquely American, but there are some (a)   (similar) in Australia and Israel for "pre-selecting" candidates.

The popular vote will have nothing to do with determining the winner of the 3 November general election. That comes down to the "electoral college" vote. This makes some states very important to candidates, as more (a)   (populate) states have a bigger number of electoral votes.

Each state is worth a number of electors proportionate to its representation in Congress: the sum of its senators and (a)   (represent) in the House.

Health concerns over the current public-health crisis have increased pressure on states to expand the (a)   (available) of mail-in voting.

Each state handles its own vote counting and a winner is usually determined on the same night. Though there has been speculation of an outright delay due to the pandemic, a change in date remains highly (a)   (like).

There will be a brief transition period following the election, allowing a new president to select cabinet members and make plans. In January, the new president is (a)   (swear) in at an event called the inauguration.