Final answer:
Besides selecting candidates through primaries or caucuses, political parties engage in extensive campaigning. They must meet state requirement, fundraise independently, and decide on the type of primary elections to conduct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before a general election takes place, a political party may hold an election to select a candidate for office. Aside from primaries and caucuses, another critical step that a political party may take before the general election is engaging in an extensive campaigning process. This phase involves public appearances, speeches, media events, and the strategic use of social media to gain sufficient delegates or signatures. The objective is for a candidate to become the party nominee or to secure a spot on the ballot, which often requires substantial independent fundraising, as parties generally do not assist with costs until a candidate has secured the nomination. Each state has specific requirements for a potential candidate to meet in order to be eligible to get on a primary or general election ballot. The campaign's goals include convincing undecided voters, mobilizing party voters to the polls, and leveraging early donations to attract more support and fund a strong campaign. As part of the election cycle, political parties may also decide which type of primary election they wish to use, such as open, closed, or runoff primaries, which affects how nominees are selected.