Political convention
Encyclopedia
In politics
, a political convention is a meeting of a political party
, typically to select party candidates.
In the United States
, a political convention usually refers to a presidential nominating convention
, but it can also refer to state, county, or congressional district nominating conventions. In Canada
, a political convention held to choose a party leader is often known as a leadership convention
. The new leader of a party may then become prime minister.
Outside of the United States and Canada, national meetings of political parties are often called party congress
es, or party conference
s, as in the United Kingdom
.
The first political convention held in America took place in Hartford, Connecticut
in March of 1766. The meeting was organized by the Sons of Liberty
, who, in challenging incumbent governor Thomas Fitch, nominated William Pitkin
for governor
and Jonathan Trumbull
for deputy governor.
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, a political convention is a meeting of a political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
, typically to select party candidates.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, a political convention usually refers to a presidential nominating convention
United States presidential nominating convention
A United States presidential nominating convention is a political convention held every four years in the United States by most of the political parties who will be fielding nominees in the upcoming U.S. presidential election...
, but it can also refer to state, county, or congressional district nominating conventions. In Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, a political convention held to choose a party leader is often known as a leadership convention
Leadership convention
In Canadian politics, a leadership convention is held by a political party when the party needs to choose a leader due to a vacancy or a challenge to the incumbent leader.- Overview :...
. The new leader of a party may then become prime minister.
Outside of the United States and Canada, national meetings of political parties are often called party congress
Party Congress
A party congress is a general conference of a political party. The congress is attended by delegates who represent the party membership. In most parties the party congress is the highest decision making body of the organisation and elects the party's leadership bodies such as the National Executive...
es, or party conference
Party conference
The terms party conference , political convention , and party congress usually refer to a general meeting of a political party. The conference is attended by certain delegates who represent the party membership...
s, as in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
The first political convention held in America took place in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
in March of 1766. The meeting was organized by the Sons of Liberty
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty were a political group made up of American patriots that originated in the pre-independence North American British colonies. The group was formed to protect the rights of the colonists from the usurpations by the British government after 1766...
, who, in challenging incumbent governor Thomas Fitch, nominated William Pitkin
William Pitkin
William Pitkin was a colonial governor of the Connecticut Colony. Born to a politically prominent family in Hartford, he was first elected to the colonial assembly in 1728, where he served through 1734, the last two years as speaker of the house...
for governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
and Jonathan Trumbull
Jonathan Trumbull
Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. was one of the few Americans who served as governor in both a pre-Revolutionary colony and a post-Revolutionary state...
for deputy governor.