ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2008 Republican National Convention today completed the Roll Call proceedings required to formally nominate U.S. Sen. John McCain as the Republican Party's candidate for President of the United States.

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The process required to nominate Sen. John McCain as the party's official candidate began following the evening's scheduled speeches. His name was submitted for nomination by Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Michael Williams. Then, the Roll Call of the States, the process by which delegates from each state vote, began with Alabama and continued in alphabetical order. Arizona, fourth in the roll call and John McCain's home state, initially refrained from voting, waiting until he was within reach of the official nomination.

When the vote tally was close to the total needed for John McCain to clinch the nomination, the remaining states deferred to Arizona and gave their delegation the opportunity to cast the decisive vote. The remaining states then voted and John McCain was officially selected as the Republican Party's presidential nominee.

In order to officially nominate a candidate for president, the Republican Party's rules require that a Roll Call of the States take place. An outline of the roll call proceedings follows:

-- In order to enter a candidate's name into nomination, a majority of delegates from at least five states must sign a form pledging their support.

-- During the convention, the Secretary of the Republican National Convention calls the roll.

-- The delegation chair for each state announces his or her delegation's votes.

-- The roll call proceeds in alphabetical order.

-- Each delegation must be called upon. They can either announce their delegate totals or pass their turn to the next delegation.

    -- The roll call is complete once all of the delegations have voted.

About the Republican National Convention

The 2008 Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center from Sept. 1-4, 2008. Approximately 45,000 delegates, alternate delegates, volunteers, members of the media and other guests are expected to attend the convention. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is expected to receive an estimated $150-$160 million positive economic boost from the four-day event. For more information about the 2008 Republican National Convention, please visit our website at www.GOPConvention2008.com and join our social network sites on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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SOURCE 2008 Republican National Convention