Explained: How The US Presidential Election Works

The voting calendar plays an outsized role in the country's long primary season as state-by-state contests commence this month.

Americans head to the polls later this year in what will be a closely watched presidential election. 

Here is the way the process will play out between now, November's vote and next year's swearing-in.

The voting calendar plays an outsized role in the country's long primary season as state-by-state contests commence this month.