US Election – questions answered by the BBC
Here’s what people have been asking the BBC
What’s the difference between a primary and a caucus?
Generally, primaries are open to more voters – they’re held across the state, while caucuses are held in one place at a particular time, and are open only to party members. Caucuses used to be the most popular way of choosing candidates, but they’re much less common now.
Who is still in the Democratic race?
There are still nine people in the running for the Democratic nomination, the favourites being Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice-President Joe Biden.
Pete Buttigieg is doing well in the polls after a strong start in the primaries, with late entrant businessman Michael Bloomberg also slowly climbing in popularity.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of the early favourites, has struggled so far.
Also still in the running are: Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard, Tom Steyer and Deval Patrick.
Because so many people are still running, it could mean different primaries are won by different candidates, bringing a risk that no one candidate emerges as the frontrunner for the nomination.
Why is Joe Biden struggling?
We’re only one caucus and one primary into the four-month process, so he may not be struggling by the end.
His performance in Iowa on 3 February came as a bit of a surprise – he called the result a “gut punch”, and it led to a shake-up in his staff, but he also performed poorly in New Hampshire.
Part of his struggles there could be attributed to the rise of Pete Buttigieg, another moderate, but younger, Democrat.Biden is likely to do better in states with a more diverse population.
