Like the Democratic National Convention , it signifies the end of a presidential primary season and the start of campaigning for a general election . In recent years , the nominee has been known well before the convention . Some 2,472 delegates have attended the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland , Ohio , July 18 – 21 to select the presidential nominee . The winner must carry 1,237 — half of the total , plus one . If no single candidate has secured a majority of delegates after the first ballot , a brokered convention results . It has not happened since the 1976 Republican National Convention
1976 Republican National Convention
1976 Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention