Elections in the US have begun: How does it work?

But how does that well, so for election?

1 What are primaries?

In the American system during the primaries, candidates must earn the nomination on behalf of their party. In all states of the United States voted between January and June. These electors are divided ultimately determine the winner in July. In states with many people also fall to win many electoral votes. The candidate who receives the most votes in a state wins all the electoral votes.

It is a long spread process. The elections in Iowa are only the first in a long, long row of primaries.

2 How is a vote?

The dial varies by state and is roughly divided between true for elections and voting meetings called a caucus. Among other in Iowa, Colorado, Hawaii and Washington, there is a caucus system.

An important difference between an election and a caucus is the point in time. In elections a caucus all day can be voted on is a kind of meeting that's held in the evening. Sometimes it looks like an ordinary election. Republicans gathered in Iowa promptly at 19:00 to debate and then fill out a ballot. Who got the most votes, won the state.

When the Democrats ran the process totally different. They did not vote in secret, as is common almost everywhere in the world, but spent their vote by standing in a kandidatenvak.

Candidates with enough votes rebelled against their voters then had to choose another candidate. It is usual to take to exchange trade over fellow voters.

To get a good result in a caucus is an avid supporters more important than a normal election.

3 Why Iowa will be the first?

There is little logic behind Iowa's first place. The only reason the vote so early in Iowa is that the electoral system is so complicated that it takes a lot of time. Then in 1972 it was decided to have the ability to organize nationally Iowa proved fortuitous for the whole electoral circus which organized the first primaries. That order remained in New Hampshire as traditional second.

These two small, relatively unimportant states thus have much influence on the conduct of the elections.

If anyone knows how important that first blow may be, it is Hillary Clinton. She lost in the first caucus in 2008 and came to blow never really over. Where Obama was suddenly seen as someone who could win a doubt, Clinton has lost its credibility just as slain dyed favorite.

4 How it goes?

After the 'small' states of Iowa and New Hampshire to follow South Carolina and Washington.

Then comes March 1 "Super Tuesday." On that Tuesday twelve states go to the polls. It is the first real test for the remaining candidates whether they are seen as a possible presidential across the country.

By the time California voters on June 7, the state with the largest population, its turn, the race is usually already decided. Every four years there again quarreling about to take place throughout the circus just one day. But there seems to be no majority for within both parties.

4 When there is a new president?

In late July the Democrats and Republicans choose their presidential candidate. After that follow months of campaigning.

November 8 is finally really vote who will be the next president of the United States of America.

The new powerful man or woman on earth will then be sworn in on January 20, 2017. On that day also ends the term of the current president, Barack Obama.

Rens Oving / Source: Metronieuws.nl / Photo: AFP