July 18, 2016 (Monday)
The Republican National Convention convenes today in Cleveland, Ohio.
Barring any surprises, Donald Trump will be the candidate for president and Mike Pence will be candidate for vice-president.
For many years, the candidates were decided at the convention. There was suspense among the delegates. No one knew for sure who would be chosen. But over the last 40 or so years, the presidential primary system has replaced the convention as the mechanism for choosing a candidate. The same is true in the Democratic party. The Democratic candidate has already been selected also, by the Democratic primary system.
Unless something drastic and unexpected happens, Trump will be the Republican candidate, and Clinton will be the Democratic candidate. Johnson will represent the Libertarian party, which will probably be more visible this year than previously. 
Other candidates will be on the ballots: Constitution Party, Castle; Green Party, Stein; American Independent Party, Hoefling; American Freedom Party, Whitaker; Better for America Party, Unannounced; Constitution Party of Ohio, Copeland; Party of Socialism and Liberation, LaRiva; Peace and Freedom Party, Kahn, LaRiva, Moorhead; Prohibition Party, Hedges; Reform Party, Chlaposki, Cross, Kahn; Socialist Party, USA, Soltysik; Socialist Equality Party, White; Socialist Workers Party, Kennedy; Veterans Party of America, Keniston; Workers World Party, Moorehead; and approximately 450 additional candidates representing various organizations and projects. Not all will be on ballots.
This is what government “of the people, by the people and for the people” looks like at election time. America! You gotta love her.