From the start of the election cycle, voters across the country choose a president and vice president through state primaries and caucuses and parties’ national conventions. The winning candidates then appear on the general ballot in November alongside their running mates. The winner of the national popular vote becomes the president; the runner-up, the vice president.
A candidate for the presidency must file a statement of candidacy by the spring of the previous calendar year. Potential candidates often form exploratory committees even earlier to determine whether they can raise the funds needed for a nationwide campaign.
Because the United States uses a winner-take-all system, most states have historically gone to one party or another (with exceptions like Maine and Nebraska). This means that presidential candidates spend much of their time and money on what are called “swing states,” where the results could make or break their chances for victory.
The last time a third (independent) candidate won electoral votes was Ross Perot in 1992. The only other independent to win a share of electoral votes not from faithless electors was George Wallace in 1968.
Once a party’s nominee is selected, the candidates campaign across the nation to win support from the people. The top contenders are then endorsed by their party’s delegates in the national conventions. During this stage, the nominee also announces their vice presidential running mate. On December 20 (unless it is a Sunday), Electors meet in their respective state capitals to cast their votes—one for president, one for vice president. If a candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, they are declared the president-elect and take office on January 20 (or 21 if it is a Sunday).