<P> The Democratic National Committee (DNC) proposed a new schedule and a new rule set for the 2008 Presidential primary elections . Among the changes: the primary election cycle would start nearly a year earlier than in previous cycles, states from the West and the South would be included in the earlier part of the schedule, and candidates who run in primary elections not held in accordance with the DNC's proposed schedule (as the DNC does not have any direct control over each state's official election schedules) would be penalized by being stripped of delegates won in offending states . The New York Times called the move, "the biggest shift in the way Democrats have nominated their presidential candidates in 30 years ." </P> <P> Of note regarding the DNC's proposed 2008 Presidential primary election schedule is that it contrasted with the Republican National Committee's (RNC) rules regarding Presidential primary elections . "No presidential primary, caucus, convention, or other meeting may be held for the purpose of voting for a presidential candidate and / or selecting delegates or alternate delegates to the national convention, prior to the first Tuesday of February in the year in which the national convention is held ." In 2020, this date is February 4 . </P> <P> Candidates for U.S. President who seek their party's nomination participate in primary elections run by state governments, or caucuses run by the political parties . Unlike an election where the only participation is casting a ballot, a caucus is a gathering or "meeting of party members designed to select candidates and propose policies ." Both primaries and caucuses are used in the Presidential nomination process, beginning in January or February and culminating in the late - summer political party conventions . Candidates may earn convention delegates from each state primary or caucus . Sitting presidents generally do not face serious competition from their party . </P> <P> While it is clear that the closed / semi-closed / semi-open / open classification commonly used by scholars studying primary systems does not fully explain the highly nuanced differences seen from state to state, still, it is very useful and has real - world implications for the electorate, election officials, and the candidates themselves . </P>

Who votes to make someone a presidential party nominee