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- Candidates must file FEC quarterly reports to ensure compliance with campaign finance laws and contribution limits.

4) Primaries and Caucus (beginning January 3, 2008 through June 2008)

- Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Florida—four early primary and caucus states—are key in order to gain momentum going into Super Duper Tuesday

- Super Duper Tuesday occurs on February 5, 2008, when more than 20 states (including the delegate rich states of California, New York, and New Jersey) hold their primaries

- Though a candidate is not an official party nominee until their respective National Conventions, by the end of Spring, it is usually apparent who the respective party nominees will be. Candidates use this time to start campaigning nationally, and speculation about vice presidential running mates begin.

5) Party Convention (Democrats: August 25-28, 2008; Republicans: September 1-4, 2008)

- A four-day celebration of the candidates nomination, with lavish parties sponsored by interest groups and corporate donors. In addition to nominating a president, convention delegates also meet to establish party platform policy for the next four years

- On the first night, each state announces its selection of a nominee for president. The delegate’s votes are tallied, and a candidate is declared winner. The convention delegates generally accept the candidate’s choice for Vice President

- Acceptance speeches given by the Vice President (on the penultimate night) and the President (on the final night of the convention) are televised by the major networks, and are usually the first opportunity both candidates to have an uninterrupted address to the entire nation.

6) Campaign for Presidency (September-November)

- An intense, whirlwind campaign across the country begins, with candidates focusing attention on battleground states.

- There are usually one or two Presidential debates between the Republican and Democratic nominees, and one debate between the vice presidential candidates.

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