The process begins with what are called primaries---also known as caucuses in states like Iowa---or state party elections where supporters cast secret ballots for a candidate. (sometimes, a show of hands or other form of endorsement is used). The battle here is for delegates, or representatives, whose number is proportional to the state’s population. Thus California has 440 delegates, while sparsely populated Arizona has just 64.

Though rules vary across state and party lines, usually a candidate who gets 15 percent or more votes at the district level wins one or more delegates. Republicans in some states allow the person with the most votes to get all the delegates from that state.

After the primaries, the delegates assemble at the respective party conventions, and the person with the most delegates gets to be the candidate for the White House.

The final candidates then criss-cross the nation gathering support and money until election day, November 4. That is when anyone who is legally eligible and willing to vote does so. But their vote is not for the President. It is block of electors, (usually party workers or leaders) who equal the number of Congressmen from that state. These electors finally comprise the Electoral College, which finally votes to decide on the next US president.

Repeated Congressional attempts to revoke this system in favour of direct voting have failed.

Anyone who’s 35 or above, who is a native-born American, and has lived in the US for 14 years before his candidacy, can aspire to become President of the United States of America, who is elected every four years.

Two, or a maximum of eight years.

He is usually chosen by the candidate, and they are known as a ticket. Voters cannot choose a presidential candidate from one ticket and a vice president from another.

Both are state level elections in which supporters of each party endorse a candidate, but the methods and rules vary across states and parties. While primaries usually involve secret ballots from party supporters, in Caucuses, as they are called six US states, voters interact directly with the candidates and then endorse their candidate by various means, including a show of hands. This in turn gives a candidate a number of delegates.

They are a prescribed number of party activists appointed to by the local parties to represent the state at the national convention. Democrats have 4336 delegates, and a candidate must have at least 2170 (or half plus one) votes to win. The Republicans, who have 2065 delegates nationwide, require 1034 votes to win the nomination for presidency.

The Democratic National Convention is July 26-29 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Republican National Convention is August 30-September 2 in New York City.

The two candidates then launch their nationwide campaign, crossing from coast to coast to garner support and money.

November 4, 2004. Anyone who is above 18 and meets state voter requirements can vote. But they will essentially be voting not for the President, but for the Electors, or they can send to the electoral college.

This a block of electors, (usually retired party workers or leaders) who equal the number of Congressmen from that state, and pledged to support a particular candidate. The District of Columbia, although it isn't a state, has three electors. These 538 electors finally comprise the Electoral College, which finally gathers in Washington and votes to decide on the next US president. A candidate must receive at least 270 votes to be elected President or Vice President. Repeated Congressional attempts to revoke this system in favour of direct voting have failed.