2020: the timeline to the US presidential election

We are about a year out from the next US president, but here's what happens between now and then

Young supporters cheer as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S. Reuters

President Donald Trump speaks on a number of topics including his administration's successes during a Keep America Great Rally in Tupelo, Miss., days before the Nov. 5 general elections in Mississippi. AP

President Donald Trump pauses under the Keep America Great banner before speaking on a number of topics including the successes of his administration and making fun of his critics a rally in Tupelo, Miss. days before the Nov. 5 general elections in Mississippi. AP

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) speaks alongside President Donald Trump during a "Keep America Great" campaign rally at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi. Trump is campaigning in Mississippi ahead of a state gubernatorial election where Republican Tate Reeves is in a close race with Democrat Jim Hood. AFP

President Donald Trump finishes as speech at a rally at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Miss., AP

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks during the Iowa Democratic Party's Liberty and Justice Celebration in Des Moines, Iowa. AP

Supporters react as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks during the Iowa Democratic Party's Liberty and Justice Celebration in Des Moines, Iowa. AP

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks at the Liberty and Justice Celebration at the Wells Fargo Arena on in Des Moines, Iowa. Fourteen of the candidates hoping to win the Democratic nomination for president are expected to speak at the Celebration. AFP

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a Democratic Party fundraising dinner, the Liberty and Justice Celebration, in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. Reuters

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during the Iowa Democratic Party's Liberty and Justice Celebration in Des Moines, Iowa. AP

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks at a Democratic Party fundraising dinner, the Liberty and Justice Celebration, in Des Moines, Iowa. Reuters

Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend and 2020 presidential candidate, speaks during the Iowa Democratic Party Liberty & Justice Dinner in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., . A New York Times/Siena College poll of Iowa Democrats released Friday showed the top four candidates — Warren, Sanders, Buttigieg and Biden — all bunched up in a five-point spread at the top of the field, within the poll's margin of error. Bloomberg

Democratic presidential candidate South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks at the Liberty and Justice Celebration at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Fourteen of the candidates hoping to win the Democratic nomination for president are expected to speak at the Celebration. AFP

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a Democratic Party fundraising dinner, the Liberty and Justice Celebration, in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. Reuters

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a Democratic Party fundraising dinner, the Liberty and Justice Celebration, in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. Reuters

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, speaks during the Iowa Democratic Party Liberty & Justice Dinner in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. Biden's sluggish fundraising got a shot in the arm from online donors, who contributed $5.3 million in October, his campaign announced. Bloomberg

Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden attend a Democratic Party fundraising dinner, the Liberty and Justice Celebration, in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. Reuters

DES MOINES, IA - NOVEMBER 01: Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the Iowa Democratic Party Liberty & Justice Celebration in Des Moines, Iowa. Fourteen presidential are expected to speak at the event addressing over 12,000 people. AFP

November 3 2019: One year to go until the 2020 presidential election

February 3, 2020: Iowa caucuses kick starts party members choosing their candidate to battle it out in 2020. The results in Iowa will narrow down the crowded Democratic field to a handful of prime hopefuls.

March 3, 2020: Known as Super Tuesday, around 40 per cent of the total delegates are allotted on a single day with 18 states and territories voting. The results from March 3 more or less decide who is going to get the nomination. But, there are still three more months of votes if the decision isn't clear after Super Tuesday.

March 10, 2020: Another batch of primaries are held but the vote in Michigan is seen as a true test of the candidates' popularity in suburban, African-American and white working-class areas. While the vote here won't necessarily make or break a candidate, it's a good test of broader popularity and if Super Tuesday doesn't decide the winner this could narrow it down further.

July 13-16, 2020: Democratic National convention will be held in Milwaukee where officials formally announce their candidate for the 2020 presidential election.

August 24-27, 2020: Republican National Convention is the grand old party's turn to crown their candidate, but we already know that barring some kind of disaster or major surprise, it will be incumbent Donald Trump.

August-November 2020: With the two candidates decided, the real election campaign can start – remember everything up unto this point has technically been picking who will run, not that it looks much like that from the outside.

September 29, 2020: The first of three presidential debate will take place at Notre Dame University in Indiana where the now-crowned Democratic candidate will face off with (most likely) Mr Trump. It's the first time we'll see the two candidates directly go head-to-head.

October 22, 2020: The third and final presidential head-to-head televised debate will be held in Belmont University, Tennessee.

November 3, 2020: Presidential elections take place

Mid-December, 2020: Electoral Collage delegates meet at state capitals to formally vote for the president and vice president.

January 20, 2021: The new president of the United States is inaugurated.