Americans Elect basics

Americans Elect is a contemporary re-imagining of the presidential nominating process.

The concept encompasses traditional party processes and gives all registered voters the opportunity to participate directly in nominating a presidential ticket for the general election on Nov. 6.

Registered voters go to AmericansElect.org to sign up to be delegates. Delegates choose a presidential ticket in a series of national online caucuses. These caucuses are similar in concept to the caucus process that has existed in 14 states for many years. The winning presidential ticket then takes part in the general election, subjected to the same rigors as any other ticket.

The online caucuses take place nationwide simultaneously. They are completely online and are not affiliated with any party or ideology. However, each state has different rules for getting a candidate on the ballot and some may require Americans Elect to form a local “party” strictly for the purposes of getting on the ballot in that state.

Only delegates who are confirmed registered voters can participate in every caucus.

Delegates can select a candidate only once, and once their choice is confirmed, it cannot be changed; a printable confirmation of their selection is received immediately.

Caucus tallies can be manually recounted, independently audited and reaffirmed. Interim caucus results are available immediately to all delegates.

The first caucus is May 8 with the final ballot on June 26.

Americans Elect is merely an infrastructure for the nominating process and for gathering signatures to get each state’s permission to be on the ballot. It is a private, 501(c)(4) nonprofit and nonpartisan organization.

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