Certify Teacher Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The first step in the presidential election process involves primary elections and caucuses held in individual states. This stage is critical because it allows political parties to select their nominees for the presidency. During this period, party members participate in primaries or caucuses to express their support for candidates. The results from these state-level contests determine how many delegates each candidate secures to compete at the national convention, where the official party nominee is selected.

This process is essential for establishing the candidates who will appear on the ballot in the general election. It provides the foundational structure of the election cycle, as successful candidates in the primaries gain the support necessary to consolidate party backing. Following this primary process, the subsequent steps include the national conventions and the general election, making this initial phase pivotal in determining the nominees who will run for the presidency.