1. Election Calendar EVENTPurposeDate 1. Primaries and Caucuses in each state and U.S. territory (ex. Republican Primary of 2012) Mitt Romney (42). Republican Primary of 2012 Rick Santorum (11) Newt Gingrich (2) Ron Paul (1) To choose one candidate for each party. Republican vs. Republican and Democrat vs. Democrat January to June (or July) 2. National Nominating Convention (a real big party!) 1.The delegates that were won in the primaries/caucuses announce their votes for their state. The winner of the majority of the delegates is officially pronounced the winner. 2.The Vice presidential candidate is announced and the Party Platform is voted on and accepted. July or August (for about 4-5 days)

2. Republican Primaries 2008

3. Election Calendar EVENTPurposeDate 3. General Election – The main election for President, the popular vote. The people choose between the different party candidates (popular vote). The candidate that wins the popular vote in each state gets to send there party’s electors to the Electoral College. The candidate with the majority of 270 out of 538 electors wins the presidency. 1 st Tuesday of November 4. Electoral CollegeThe electors from each state meet to cast the official vote for President. (The number of electors is based on the number of senators and representatives for each state and for Washington DC). December

4. Electoral Votes 2012

5. Election Calendar EVENTPurposeDate 5. Inauguration – Inaugural parade to the Capitol, swearing ceremony, inaugural speech, inaugural parties. The new President is officially sworn in. Celebration of a new Presidency. January of next year

6. Election Calendar DatesEvents PRIMARY & CAUCUS ELECTIONS: Candidates from the same party run against each other to be picked as the candidate for their party in the general election. They often participate in debates (Florida’s primary is in March) Jan.-June 2016 June-July NOMINATING CONVENTIONS: Candidate who win their party’s primaries/caucuses are presented to the party and officially nominated to run for their party. They present the Party Platform. Lots of speeches and celebration. (Republicans are in Cleveland, Ohio/ Democrats – undecided) Aug.-Nov. CAMPAIGNING: Candidates debate each other, give many speeches, until election day. 33

7. Summary Calendar DatesEvents GENERAL ELECTION (Election Day is 1 st Tues. of November): The people vote for President (or Congressmen), the popular vote. Electors are decided for each state. Nov.1 2016 Dec.ELECTORAL COLLEGE: Electors gather to cast the real vote for President. Jan., 2017INAUGURATION: The new President is sworn in or inaugurated after walking in a parade. (They also have many inaugural parties).