To begin with, there may be many candidates. Only one candidate from each party will eventually be chosen to run for president. People who are members of the two main political parties often help to select that one person months before the actual presidential election. They do this by voting in primary elections that are held in many states.

The primary election season usually begins in February. The first primary election takes place in New Hampshire and ends early in June. Party members choose the candidate they prefer from their state in each state primary. Candidates in some states are chosen at a large state meeting called a “convention,” or at smaller meetings called “caucuses.”