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In politics, a political convention is a meeting of a political party, typically to select party candidates.

In the United States, a political convention usually refers to a presidential nominating convention, but it can also refer to state, county, or congressional district nominating conventions. In Canada, a political convention held to choose a party leader is often known as a leadership convention. The new leader of a party may then become Prime Minister.

Outside of the United States and Canada, national meetings of political parties are often called Party Congresses, or Party Conferences, as in the United Kingdom.

The convention has been reformed many times usually in support of giving more power to activists, leaders and electorates. However, conventions strengthen party sentiment and keep the public informed of the national party significance.

Political conventions also refer to the laws that are not written in the Constitution but are common sense to people politically.

The first political convention held in America took place in Hartford, Connecticut in March of 1766. The meeting was organized by the Sons of Liberty, who, in challenging incumbent governor Thomas Fitch, nominated William Pitkin for governor and Jonathan Trumbull for deputy governor.