Election Day in the United States

How does election take place in the United States?

During Election Day, American people exercise their right to suffrage and the power to choose in federal, state, or local government offices. The length of office for the public officials vary. In the United States, presidential election happens every four years, while the congressional election occurs every two years. During Presidential election, voters select their leader in federal level – President, Vice President, and US Congress.

Generally, the candidates of election who has most votes from the public will be the one to lead the country and represent the American people. However, though most of the country’s appointed public officials are elected directly through popular votes, both the president and vice president are voted indirectly – through the process called Electoral College. The appointed electors for the Electoral College in each state will represent the general public and are tasked to cast the votes of their preferred president and vice president.

Why is American Presidential Election different from others?

The presidential election in the United states is a bit different compared to other countries. The political parties (dominated by the Republican and Democratic political parties) must pick one candidate to run for president and vice president. These two main political parties’ elect candidates by the process of primary election and caucuses which is held from January or February until June. The primary election is a preliminary poll where they are going to select their running candidates. The candidate is selected by the delegates – those who are supporting the candidate. In caucuses, it is a local meeting system in which an election itself is observed. They will apply the process called ‘Electoral College’. Electoral College is a body of electors chosen or appointed in each state based on the number of the state’s congressional delegation. These electors will cast their votes to the running president and vice president whom they considered most fitting to lead the country. The candidate who has majority of these electoral votes will be inaugurated as President and Vice President of the United States – with the four-year presidential term.

Contingent Elections

In cases where no candidate achieves an absolute majority of votes, a contingent election will then be observed. Meaning, the United States House of Representatives will elect the president where each state’s congressional delegation casts one vote on their chosen candidate, while the United States Senate on the other hand, will elect the vice president.