1. Understanding the The Road to the Presidency © 2010, TESCCC

2. The Steps to the Presidency Candidates announce intention to run (sometimes a year or so before election year) Debates of the candidates Primaries or Caucuses are held-January to June National Conventions-Summer Debates of the final major party candidates-Fall Election Day-November 4, 2008 Electoral College vote-December 15, 2008 Inauguration Day-January 20, 2009 © 2010, TESCCC

3. Primary Elections Reform promoted by Progressives in late 1800’s First held in 1900’s, but not widespread until after WWII Now used by majority of the states to allow voters to select their favorite candidate. © 2010, TESCCC

4. Party Conventions—A meeting of the party delegates to determine the candidate Democratic National Convention—August 25-28, 2008 Denver, Colorado Republican National Convention— September 1-4, 2008 Minneapolis, Minnesota © 2010, TESCCC

5. Key Events after the 2008 Convention Debates-3 Presidential Debates and 1 Vice- Presidential Debate Election Day-1st Tuesday after the 1 st Monday in November Electoral College Vote-Set by Congress Inauguration-January 20 Originally held in March Changed to January 20 by Amendment XX in 1933 © 2010, TESCCC

6. Questions to Consider 1.Which is the most democratic method to select a presidential candidate? Caucus, convention or primary 2.Why have some states begun using “frontloading?” (the process of holding the primary or caucus earlier and earlier) 3.What are advantages to a state having them early in the primary season? What are the disadvantages? © 2010, TESCCC

7. Why should take we take so long to select the President of the United States? © 2010, TESCCC