In the United States, delegates from both major parties determine which candidates earn a spot on the ballot in the November presidential election. To secure the nomination, a candidate must reach a specified delegate total that advances them to their party’s national convention, where delegates formally nominate the candidate. Delegate allocation follows state results from primaries and caucuses, creating a dynamic map of momentum that shapes the campaign through the season.
In the Republican field, the target stands at 1,215 delegates for the nominee. Of the 2,429 delegates available during the primary phase, the ultimate distribution hinges on how states schedule their votes across different days. The following section breaks down which states hold caucuses or primaries, how many delegates are decided on each voting day, the total delegates allocated on those days, and the final tallies as the process unfolds across the calendar.
Although the primary race can stretch over many months, a single date often dominates the narrative: Super Tuesday. On that day, voters in a broad swath of states cast ballots, producing results that act as a powerful signal about which contenders are likely to lead the party. Historically, Super Tuesday delivers decisive momentum that reverberates through fundraising, messaging, and strategy for the rest of the season. In the weeks and months that follow, more than half of the delegates are typically awarded, raising the level of competition and narrowing the field to a core group of frontrunners. The evolving delegate picture continues to guide candidates toward a convention showdown and ultimately toward the party’s nomination. [Citation: Election Authority]