The document discusses the original process for electing the U.S. president established by the framers of the Constitution, how political parties emerged and changed this process, and the modern presidential nomination process. Originally, electors cast two votes for president and the top vote getter would win, with the runner up becoming vice president. The rise of parties in the 1790s exposed flaws, leading to the 12th Amendment requiring separate electoral college votes for president and vice president. Today, the two major parties use a mix of primaries and caucuses to select delegates who vote on candidates at the parties' national conventions.