Explained: How US elects its President? A look at the electoral process

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One year before US elections: Candidates from the two main political parties — the Democrats and the Republicans — begin their campaign trails. This part of the campaign includes setting up their team and conducting rallies to seek support and fundraise for their campaigns. ALSO READ: Vivek Ramaswamy ends his US Presidential bid, endorses Donald Trump as 'best president of 21st century' At the start of the campaigns: Democrat and Republican candidates participate in televised debates.

During the debates, each candidate answers tough questions about their policies. They also get a chance to defend their stance on issues and policies against other candidates. Elections process begins: Here are the steps that the US follow to elect its president every four years: The main voting events — Primaries and Caucuses — help in the selection of delegates who will represent the people at the upcoming conventions.

These are simply two ways that people help states and political parties choose presidential nominees. ALSO READ: US elections 2024: What's at stake for Donald Trump, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis in Monday's Iowa caucuses? Caucuses: It's a stage at which party members select the best candidate through a series of discussions and votes. It's a meeting of local members of a political party to select delegates to the national party convention.

A caucus is said to be a substitute for primary elections. A delegate is defined as a person authorised to represent others as an elected representative to a political party conference. ALSO READ: US Presidential Elections 2024: Donald Trump emerges as front-runner in Iowa caucus amid freezing temperatures Primary: In this, party members vote for the best candidate that will represent