Q&A: What happens next in US election year?

The race for the White House will almost certainly be decided between Barack Obama for the Democrats and John McCain for the Republicans.

Hillary Clinton's concession speech on 7 June put an end to the hard slog for the Democratic ticket and now only the summer party conventions remain to crown the candidates.

The actual presidential election will be held on 4 November.

What remains to be decided before the conventions?

Neither Mr Obama nor Mr McCain has chosen a vice-presidential running mate yet.

Obama's potential running mates

The Democrat has picked a three-member, high-profile selection panel which includes Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F Kennedy.

It is an open question whom he will choose, although Hillary Clinton's campaign has distanced her from the competition.

McCain's potential running mates

According to Republicans close to Mr McCain's campaign, Reagan administration veteran AB Culvahouse is advising him on his choice.

There are fewer Republicans in Congress, which may restrict Mr McCain's choice.

When and where will the parties convene?

The Democrats will hold their convention in Denver, Colorado, on 25-28 August.

The Republicans meet in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 1-4 September.

When do the big debates start?

TV debates are due to be held on 26 September, and 7 and 15 October.

The running mates, whoever they turn out to be, will hold a single televised debate on 2 October.

Intriguingly, Mr Obama and Mr McCain may also go up against each other in unmoderated, town hall-style debates before the conventions, their campaigns have indicated.

Which states can expect special attention on the campaign trail?

Mr McCain and Mr Obama have been focusing attention on the states that could vote either way in November.

The list includes large ones like Florida, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and smaller ones such as Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Oregon, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Will Mrs Clinton still figure in the election?

She could be angling for a job in Mr Obama's administration, if he is elected.

It is also reported that she would like Mr Obama to help her pay back some of her campaign's debts and that Bill Clinton could be keen on some kind of role in the Democratic general election campaign.