Although voters choose whom they would like to see in the Presidency, their vote is diluted through the use of delegates. Delegates are everyday citizens associated with political parties. Candidates who win from state to state earn a certain number of delegates, who are then required to vote for that particular candidate at the party convention where the final presidential nominee is chosen. The number of delegates to be awarded the winning candidate in each party depends on the regulations of each state. Other states use a proportional system awarded on the percentage of votes each candidate earned.
Caucuses are less formal primaries and developed in highly rural states.
Voters attend regional state meetings where representatives of the candidates stump before the voters. Traditionally, voters would vote by standing behind the representative of their choice. Today ballots are used, but caucuses are generally less secretive and more public than formal primaries. The votes count in the same way as those from primaries and delegates are awarded to winning candidates. Primaries are essentially a 20th century invention.