Election 2020: How do America's presidential primaries work?

[Error_]

I'm not gonna lie, I just watched this and I still don't understand the process.

[tsafa]

Let me simplify this for you... the Constitution says that the states get to elect the president. Not the people. The states can select whatever process they want to distribute their electoral votes, including throwing darts at a dartboard.

The political parties are private clubs. They can use whatever process they want, including rolling dice, to select a nominee.

Originally only the House of Representatives was by direct vote. The Senate was made a direct vote by Constitutional Amendment.

If you don't understand this information, you will not understand how elections run.

[quaintleaf]

when you're American and voted in the democratic primaries yesterday and are still confused by this entire voting system (primaries, Caucasus, national convention etc.)


thank you Economist Team for pulling this video together! i found it very helpful.

[InTheDesertRain]

I'm still struggling to understand when the remaining 99% of people get to have a say in all of this.

[PaulColclough]

The building at 0:47, around the time the narration says "attend the national convention", is a building in Ireland called the "Convention Centre Dublin". I guess they just Google convention and that building popped up.

[pjo]

It won't matter who we vote for, nothing will change. More money for wars no money for Americans.

[ericmattson]

I was on my hubby’s phone looking up stuff regarding upcoming elections—He had the best idea ever in 24 years of marriage. Even though I hate politics (poli-many tics= bloodsuckers🩸)
He said’ “Everyone should do a paper ballot AND electronic ballot
Let’s see how the numbers compare..Most Americans wouldn’t mind doing this extra step to ensure a more accurate polling count

[GH-oijf]

The reason some Americans are confused by our political processes is that most of our schools don’t teach civics anymore.

[zefanx]

More complicated the process is, more easily it can be rigged. How about just "People vote, top wins" rule?

[maseratibjb]

Thanks! You made loose whatever the little clarity I had!

[ThatOtherRaccoon]

I wish they would have played the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" theme after that lady announced the votes they submitted for Hillary.

[MrWhangdoodles]

The best English weekly magazine out there.

[goenhckbe]

Can we let all state vote and choose the candidate with the most votes like it isn’t that hard😭

[thatrandomguyontheinternet]

Meanwhile where i live every town votes and the ‘winner’ is in total voters even though no party owns over 50%

[ranasaqib]

I'm confused, how they select electorals? If a state has 9 electoral seats, how many persons will compete and to whom? To their own party candidate or rival party?

[danielmoney]

The production values of this video were on point though it didn't really clear anything up for me, perhaps this is because I have no prior knowledge as I am from Australia

[simonakos]

Okay but why is there a photo of Convention Centre Dublin (located in Ireland) in the thumbnail of this video?

[Daphneamy]

Im doing my research on what part to be in because things change so much

[riazulislam]

I will tell Americans to vote for the crazy Trump again. In the next 5 years, the situation in America should be like Somalia. It is the best gift of the century for Americans

[Joshua-Samarita]

I can’t believe primary is so complicated than I thought.