How do major parties typically nominate their presidential candidates?

Major parties typically nominate their presidential candidates by utilizing national party conventions. During these conventions, delegates from various states gather to formally select their party's nominee for president based on the results of state primaries and caucuses. This process allows party members to express their preferences for the candidate they believe should represent the party in the general election. The conventions also serve as a platform for party leaders to unify behind the candidate and outline the party's platform for the upcoming election.

In contrast, state elections, public referendums, and town hall meetings are not the standard methods used for presidential nominations within major parties. State elections can have primaries that contribute to the selection of delegates but do not directly nominate the candidate. Public referendums are typically used for voting on specific issues rather than candidate selection, and town hall meetings, while they facilitate discussion and engagement, do not have the formal power to nominate candidates. Thus, the national party convention remains the definitive and organized method for major parties to nominate their presidential candidates.