ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by describing the evolution of the nomination process. It then examines the operation of the current system and its beneficiaries and its losers. The chapter assesses the role of the national nominating conventions and their impact on the general election. The Progressive movement began during the end of the nineteenth century as a reaction to the closed and seemingly elitist character of American political parties. Progressives wanted to reform the political system to encourage greater public participation. Although the presidential nomination process is open to all partisans, the level of participation is uneven. It is higher at the beginning of the process and lower toward the end, especially after the nominee has been effectively determined. The reforms, intended to increase the party electorate's role in choosing nominees, have produced mixed results. They have encouraged more candidates to run, more views to be expressed, more partisans to vote, and more information that is accessible to the electorate.
