Check out our handy guide to the seven steps of the presidential election. Candidate announces plan to run for office. This announcement launches the candidate's official campaign. Speeches, debates, and baby-kissing begin in full force.
Candidate campaigns to win delegate support.
The first stage of a presidential campaign is the nomination campaign. At this time the candidate is competing with other candidates in the same party, hoping to get the party's nomination. Caucuses and primary elections take place in the states. Caucuses and primaries are ways for the general public to take part in nominating presidential candidates. Before the 20th century , only the party leaders in each state could nominate presidential candidates.