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Q | What is the Electoral College?

A | According to the Constitution, presidents are elected by the Electoral College, composed of electors from each state who represent the will of their state’s voters. Each state’s group of electors is equal in number to its Congressional representation. Typically all of a state’s electors cast their votes for the candidate who won a plurality of votes in their state. A candidate must receive at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win.

Related article: The Electoral College

Q | What are primaries and caucuses?

A | A primary is a state-level election where voters affiliated with political parties choose candidates to represent their parties in the general election. A caucus is a local-level meeting of registered party members to determine support for a candidate. The results of these meetings are combined on a statewide basis to determine a state’s party nominee.

Related article: Early Primaries and Caucuses Shape Presidential Hopefuls’ Odds

Q | Why are there two parties?

A | The Constitution makes no provision for political parties. They developed on their own as the country grew, and by the 1830s were an established part of the political environment. Today, the Republicans and Democrats are the two main political parties. They have dominated American politics since the 1860s, and every president since 1852 has been one or the other.

Related article: Political Parties in the United States