January - June: Choosing the party candidates
From January to June, the Republican and Democratic parties are focused on the so-called primaries and caucuses. These preliminary elections are used to determine which candidates will represent their respective parties. It's a time of intense campaigning, with candidates travelling across the country to garner support.
March 5: Super Tuesday
Super Tuesday, falling on March 5, is one of the most significant dates in the primary season as a large number of states hold their primaries and caucuses on this day. This year, 15 states and one territory (American Samoa) will vote on this day. For many candidates, success on Super Tuesday is pivotal, setting the tone for the remainder of the primary season.
May 13: Texas independent filing deadline
While the candidates of the two parties will be preoccupied with primaries and caucuses, independent candidates face a whole other workload. They have to file for being on the ballot in each individual state with different requirements. May 13 is the filing deadline for the first of the major US states, Texas. Given the state's substantial electoral votes, this deadline is a key milestone for those running outside the traditional party system.
Independents have historically played a lesser role in the presidential election. The last independent candidate to have a significant impact was Ross Perot in 1992, where he ended up getting almost 19% of the general votes. In this year's election, there's a chance that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could be the next independent candidate to make an impact on the election.
July - August: Party Conventions
During the summer months, both the Republican and Democratic parties will have their conventions, where they will formally nominate their candidate to run for the presidential election. The Republican Convention takes place on July 15-18 and the Democratic on August 19-22.
August – November: The campaign trail
Once the candidate for each party has been nominated officially, it'll become clearer what politics each candidate will use for their campaign. The ensuing period will be characterised by intense campaigning. The candidates will travel across the country, participate in debates, give speeches, and engage with voters. This phase is critical for swaying undecided voters and solidifying support.
November 5: Election Day
November 5, is election day and as such the culmination of the election season. Americans will go to the polls to cast their votes for the next president of the United States. When the new president will be announced, depends on how close the vote is.
January 20, 2025: Inauguration Day
If everything goes to plan, the newly elected president will take office on January 20, 2025.
