Statewide primary elections and caucuses to select the Republican nominee lasted from January 3 continuing through May 29, when Mitt Romney achieved the necessary 1,144 delegates, and June 5, when Romney received additional binding delegates, securing the spot for Republican presidential nominee.
The two major political parties select their candidates during their national conventions, scheduled for the week of August 27 for the Republican Party and September 3 for Democrats. In April 2011, incumbent President Barack Obama declared his intent to run for a second term, and will be the Democratic nominee. The Republican Party selected their candidate over the first half of 2012, which determined that Mitt Romney will oppose President Obama at the polls in November. Some third party candidates have been selected, and others will be selected during their respective national conventions in 2012.
Once the nominees are officially selected, the race to 270 electoral votes begins. The 2012 elections will be the first since the shift in electoral vote distribution following the 2010 Census, which could affect the outcome of the election. The change is effectively a net loss of electoral votes for the Democratic Party. Once the president is chosen by voters, the president will be inaugurated and take office. Inauguration Day will be Sunday, January 20. 2013.
Last Update On : August 16, 2012
