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5.8 Electing a President

Part of Political Participation in AP® US Government & Politics. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

The process of electing a president in the United States is complex and unfolds over an extended period, beginning long before the general election. Candidates typically announce their intentions well in advance and compete in party primaries and caucuses to secure delegates. These contests vary by state and party rules, with primaries allowing broader participation and caucuses relying on party members meeting to deliberate and select delegates. Party conventions then formalize nominations and unify party messaging for the general election.

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