1
ELECTION IN USA
1. Definition of Elections
● Meaning: Elections are an organized process in which individuals choose a person
to hold an important public office (e.g., president) or select representatives for
legislative assemblies.
● Key Elements:
1. Act of selecting a person or option.
2. Exercise of deliberate choice by voters.
3. Casting votes to decide winners for specific positions.
4. Can occur in various settings, including corporate offices, student unions, and
national or local government polling.
2. Definition of Constituency
● Meaning: A constituency is a defined electoral area or district where voters
(constituents) reside. These voters elect representatives to govern on their behalf.
● Key Features:
○ Constituencies are demarcated by specific boundaries that are subject to
periodic revision.
○ Revisions can involve "gerrymandering," where boundaries are redrawn to
benefit a particular political party.
○ Constituents within these boundaries collectively determine representation for
their district.
3. Functions of Elections
● Elections serve multiple roles in a democracy:
1. Accountability: They allow citizens to hold governments responsible for their
actions.
2. Selection: Elections determine who will govern and guide policy.
3. Legitimacy: Provide legitimacy to those in power, reflecting public support.
4. International Demonstration: Showcase that governments have mass
backing.
5. Change and Mobilization: Facilitate political, social, or ideological shifts
when needed.
2
4. Why Elections Matter
● Purpose: Elections ensure orderly and peaceful transitions of power between
officials and representatives.
● Structure:
○ The U.S. Constitution divides powers between federal and state
governments.
○ Examples: National defense and foreign policy are federal responsibilities,
while health and education are primarily managed by states.
○ States maintain considerable autonomy while upholding constitutional rights
(e.g., due process, equal protection).
● Result: Ensures citizens are represented at all levels of governance, making the
system inclusive.
5. U.S. Electoral College
● Reason for Existence: Framers of the Constitution feared direct democracy and
established the Electoral College to filter public opinion through a body of electors.
● Key Characteristics:
○ 538 electoral votes; 270 are needed to win the presidency.
○ Electors are usually pledged to follow their state's popular vote, but this is not
constitutionally mandatory.
○ The system forces candidates to campaign across states, including less
populous ones.
○ Critics argue that the Electoral College may not reflect the national popular
vote.
6. Who Conducts U.S. Elections
● Responsibility: Elections are organized locally, even for federal offices.
● Tasks of Local Administrators:
1. Setting election dates.
2. Certifying candidate eligibility.
3. Registering voters and maintaining lists.
4. Selecting and managing voting equipment.
5. Designing clear and simple ballots.
6. Hiring and training temporary election workers.
7. Counting votes and certifying results.
● Ballots: Must be provided in multiple languages in regions with diverse populations.
3
7. Definition of Voters
● Meaning: Voters are citizens legally eligible to elect representatives.
● Characteristics:
○ They represent a fraction of the population who actively participate in
elections.
○ The electorate includes all eligible voters, excluding those who are
disenfranchised (e.g., minors, some convicts).
8. Factors Influencing Voter Behavior
1. Sociological: Ethical values, civic duty, family influence.
2. Demographic: Gender, age, location of residence.
3. Religion/Ethnicity: Tendency to vote for candidates from the same background.
4. Social Class and Income:
○ Wealthier classes often lean Republican.
○ Lower-income groups and unions often support Democrats.
5. Candidates' Appeal: Public perception of a candidate influences voting.
6. Psychological Factors: Voters’ perceptions of issues, parties, and candidates.
7. Mass Media:
○ Shapes public debate by highlighting issues, educating voters, and providing
forums for discussion.
9. Who Votes
● Initially, only a small percentage of the U.S. population (6% in 1789) could vote,
limited to landowning men over 21.
● Today: All U.S. citizens over the age of 18 can vote in federal, state, and local
elections.
10. Elected Officials
● Federal Level:
○ President, Vice President, members of Congress (House and Senate).
● State/Local Level:
○ Governors, state legislators, judges (in some states), and local officials.
● Terms of Office:
○ Presidents: 4 years (limited to two terms).
○ Governors and state officials vary by state.
4
11. Presidential Election Process
1. Primaries and Caucuses:
○ Primaries: State-level elections where party members vote.
○ Caucuses: Local meetings to select delegates for national conventions.
2. National Conventions: Parties officially nominate candidates.
3. General Election Campaigning: Candidates promote their platforms nationwide.
4. General Election: Citizens vote for electors pledged to presidential candidates.
5. Electoral College: Electors cast votes; the majority determines the winner.
12. Post-Election Process
● Inauguration: President and Vice President take office in January.
● Tied Electoral Votes: House of Representatives selects the President, while the
Senate selects the Vice President.
13. Historical Issues in Elections
1. 2000 Election:
○ George W. Bush won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote.
○ The Supreme Court resolved the dispute, giving Florida's electoral votes to
Bush.
2. 2016 Election:
○ Donald Trump won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote to
Hillary Clinton.
14. Conclusion
● The Electoral College and state-based election processes ensure a balance between
federal and local interests.
● Swing states play a critical role in determining outcomes, highlighting the importance
of voter behavior.
5
