What are the two main steps involved in the election for president and congress?

The correct answer is grounded in the fundamental structure of the electoral process for both the presidency and Congress in the United States.

The two main steps involved in these elections are the nomination of candidates by political parties, followed by a general election where registered voters cast their ballots.

The nomination process typically includes primary elections and caucuses that allow party members to choose their preferred candidates. This process is crucial as it determines who will represent each party in the general election. Following the nomination phase, the candidates, regardless of party affiliation, compete in the general election to secure a majority of votes from the electorate.

Understanding this dual-stage process highlights the importance of party dynamics in shaping candidates' chances and the ultimate outcome of elections. Without nominations, there would be no formal candidates to choose from in the general election, which is the stage where citizens actively exercise their right to vote.

In contrast, while campaigning and debate, voting and counting, or polling and surveying play significant roles in the electoral process, they do not represent the fundamental steps of selecting candidates and conducting the elections themselves.