so HOW does the election process work

Unless you live in NH or Iowa I wouldn't worry about voting for Ron Paul or any other candidate in the primaries, by the time it gets to you state the bandwagon will have already picked our two candidates for us. If that sounds odd to you just take a deep breath and sit back, it's all just part of the magic of American politics.

Last year during the Ohio primaries I voted for Kucinich, which was pretty much just me making myself feel good, everyone already knew Kerry had won.

 

it doesn't

thats just what they want you to think

 

I don't know. The way I used to understand it was that a doctor would meet with each candidate and do a genital check/skin color analysis but I'm not sure what the junk they're doing this year.


EDIT: Each state has a primary in which they vote for whom they would like to be on the ballet for the real election. Each state does it at a different time so you'll have to Google your state. Since you want to vote for Ron Paul you might have to register as a republican, which is a pretty humiliating experience in and of itself. Once that's done then the two candidates sling shit at one another until something sticks, he whom is covered in the least shit on Nov. 7 is crowned president of everything.

 

Other than the non-funny commentary, the above is correct.

I personally vote in the primaries, but it isnt very popular. most people just wait until the presidential election.

if you live in Ohio, you do no have to register as a republican to vote in the GOP primary..

R- Ron Paul
D- Barrack Obama

 

A lot of people actually don't understand how our president is elected.... I'll try to make this as short as possible:

First off are the primaries, when each party votes for its candidate. Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Florida all hold their primaries in January. A lot of people say the front-runner in these primaries will end up winning the whole election. Then on February 5th, about 20 other states vote. The rest are spread out from February to June, but February 5th is really the deciding day.... March at the very latest. Who's allowed to vote in the primaries varies by state.... some states have closed primaries, meaning only registered party members can vote. Others have open, meaning anyone can vote for whoever they want, regardless of party. Many states are somewhere in between, so make sure you know how your state's primaries work.

Once the parties have chosen their candidates, they'll choose vice-presidential candidates, and of course travel around desperately trying to attract voters. Tuesday, November 4, 2008 is the big day. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't matter what the general American public thinks. What matters is the majority of voters in each individual state. This is why it was possible in 2000 for Gore to win the popular vote, but lose the electoral vote. Each state has a certain number of electors in the Electoral College depending on population. When a state's votes are counted, all of that state's electors cast their vote for the winning candidate in their state. A lot of people argue that the system isn't fair, but that's how it works as of now.