Conventions, Political

The nominating convention is the institutionalized mechanism through which political parties in the United States formally nominate candidates for president and vice president during each presidential election cycle. Once primarily instrumental in function, contemporary nominating conventions are predominantly media events serving symbolic and communicative functions. They provide the transition between the primary campaign and the general election. Nominating conventions legitimize the democratic electoral process and the party's candidates, demonstrate party unity, rally party workers, and establish the key issues and positions for the general election campaign.

Nominating Convention Evolution

The 12th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1804, established the Electoral College to govern election of the president and vice president of the United States. The constitution failed to offer specific guidance for nomination of ...

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