United States presidential primary facts for kids

In the United States, a presidential primary is like a special election or meeting held by a political party. It's how the party chooses its best candidate to run for president. This way of picking candidates isn't written in the U.S. Constitution; instead, political parties created it over many years. Some states use only primary elections, some use only caucuses, and others use a mix of both.

These primaries and caucuses happen at different times, usually starting in late January or early February and finishing by mid-June. The main presidential election then takes place in November. State and local governments are in charge of running these primary elections.

What Are Presidential Primaries?

A presidential primary is a key step in choosing who will be the next president. Each major political party needs to pick one person to represent them in the main election. Primaries and caucuses are the ways they do this. Think of it as an internal competition within a party.

Why Do Parties Hold Primaries?

Political parties hold primaries to let their members help decide who should be their strongest candidate. It helps the party unite behind one person before the big election. It also gives voters a chance to learn about the different people who want to be president.

How Do Primaries and Caucuses Work?

There are two main ways states choose candidates:

• Primary Elections: These are like regular elections. Voters go to a polling place and cast a secret ballot for the candidate they prefer.
• Caucuses: These are different. Instead of voting in secret, people gather in meetings, often in schools or community centers. They discuss the candidates and openly show who they support. Sometimes, they even try to convince others to join their side.

When Do Primaries and Caucuses Happen?

The primary season usually starts early in the year, often in January or February. The Iowa caucuses are traditionally the very first event. Then, states hold their primaries or caucuses one after another until about June. This spread-out schedule allows candidates to travel and campaign in different parts of the country.

Who Runs These Elections?

Primary elections are usually run by state and local governments, just like the main presidential election. Caucuses, however, are typically organized and run by the political parties themselves.

Images for kids

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  2016 presidential primary election ballots in Massachusetts

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  A 2008 Washington state Democratic caucus held in the school lunchroom of Eckstein Middle School in Seattle. In some states like Washington, voters attend local meetings run by the parties instead of polling places to cast their selections.

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  A 2008 Democratic caucus meeting in Iowa City, Iowa. The Iowa caucuses are traditionally the first major electoral event of presidential primaries and caucuses.