Presidential Election Process Analysis

The United States Constitution specifies that a presidential election is to be held every four years. The Constitution also sets forth the requirements for the presidency of the United States: the candidate must be at least 35 years old, a natural born citizen of the U.S. and a resident for 14 years. Additionally, the 22nd amendment to the Constitution limits the number of full four years terms one person can serve to 2. Being elected to the presidency encompasses far more than just meeting the Constitutional requirements. Political parties, the media and the presidential campaigning process play huge roles in determining who gets the votes on Election Day.
Political parties are broadly based coalitions that seek to gain control of the government
Candidates from the political parties and independent candidates begin to campaign and raise money at least two years in advance of the general presidential election. Money comes from a variety of sources including political action committees; direct solicitations and special events such as $100- or $1000-plate dinners; and contributions from individuals, labor unions and corporations.
The nominating process officially begins with state primaries and caucuses, which usually occur in the Spring of the election year. At these local events voters have the first chance to participate in electing the nation's next President. In these elections, party members vote for the candidate they want to represent their party in the upcoming general election.
After the primaries and caucuses, each party holds a national convention to finalize the selection of their presidential nominee. Delegates from the states cast votes for the person who will represent the political party in the November general election. These conventions launch the general election campaign for the presidential candidates. Once the national conventions have been held and the candidates from the political parties have been nominated, the presidential election begins in
Televised debates are broadcast nationally, thereby reaching a potentially large audience. Commercials both advocate and attack candidates; voters who make up their minds late in the campaign and those who switch during it are highly likely to be influenced by TV commercials. TV news reports tend to distort the campaigns and candidates by selectively reporting limited information on the issues and reporting little, if anything on the candidates qualifications. Print media and the internet provide more complete and detailed information to those who want it in order to make their