Election Day is only the last public step in a longer candidate-selection process. Follow the path from entering a race to nomination, general-election competition, and the final certified outcome.
A race changes character as it moves from nomination to public choice.
Select a stage to see what is being decided, who is participating, and what moves forward.
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Candidate entry
Campaigns begin before voters choose nominees.
Candidate filing, petition requirements, party rules, ballot access, fundraising, and campaign organization shape who appears before primary voters.
DecisionWho qualifies to compete?
Moves forwardEligible candidates
Primary Format Explorer
“Primary election” does not describe one universal system.
Switch formats to see how participation and advancement rules can change the meaning of the nomination stage.
Design questionWho gets to help choose a party nominee?
Who participates?
Participation is generally limited to voters registered with the party, subject to state law and party rules.
What advances?
The party selects its nominee from its own primary electorate.
Important: U.S. nomination rules vary significantly by state, party, office, and election year. This explorer shows common institutional models rather than a complete state-by-state rulebook.
Sources & Further Reading
Election rules live in law, procedure, and administration.
