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EXPRESS.CO.UK'S GUIDE TO THE US ELECTIONS

Barack Obama

Wednesday February 6,2008

By Geoff Marsh for express.co.uk

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CONFUSED by the primaries and caucuses over the pond? Wondering what all the fuss is about? Take a moment to read our simple guide to the US elections...

What are primaries/caucuses?

Before the US general election in November, each of the two main parties - the Republicans and the Democrats - must select a presidential candidate. To do this, party members, and in some states members of the public, are asked to vote for their favourite candidate in a series of 'primary' elections. Caucuses are similar, but slightly more old-fashioned. They are usually a meeting of registered party members at which they can vote for their chosen candidate. Primaries are usually held in the bigger states, caucuses more often in the smaller ones.

How exactly are the presidential candidates chosen?

For a candidate to win his or her party's 'nomination' for the presidency, they must secure the backing of a set number of delegates at their party's convention (similar to party conferences in Britain). Delegates sent to the party conventions must vote according to the results of the primary or caucus in their state, which are being held now.

So what was Super Tuesday?

Thousands of delegate votes were on offer as more than 20 states held their primaries or caucuses on Super Tuesday, February 5. Candidates need to reach the “magic number” of delegates to win their party’s nomination - 2,025 for the Democrats and 1,191 for the Republicans. It was the largest Super Tuesday in history. Super Tuesday 2008 was also being called Tsunami Tuesday because it dwarfed those in previous elections, with the largest previously being on March 7, 2000, when 16 states went to the polls. The term originated in 1984 when a large number of states held their primary elections on three Tuesdays. This year Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton split the Democratic vote - while John McCain virtually secured his nomination for the Republicans.

Fine...so what's all the fuss about?

George W Bush has become a hugely unpopular president and Americans - from both parties - are keen for change now he's nearly served the maximum two terms in office. But this election is about more than that...

Hillary Clinton would become America's first female president. Barack Obama would be the first black president. John McCain would be the oldest first-time president. So whoever is then elected in November - will make history.

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