Electoral and voting system of the USA.
Key difference between U.S. and Australian elections:
U.S. presidential political campaigns go on a long time. As soon as one election concludes, some potential candidates begin preparing for the next one four years later. They need that time to build a campaign organisation and attract financial contributions. In the presidential election year, from January through June, candidates participate in primary elections and political party caucuses trying to clinch their political party’s nomination long before the November general election. The final stage of the election begins in the summer, when the two major political parties hold their national conventions and formally nominate their candidates.
- Compulsory vs Registered Voting
- Number of Political Parties
- Preselection versus Primaries
- Election Timing
- The Electoral College
U.S. presidential political campaigns go on a long time. As soon as one election concludes, some potential candidates begin preparing for the next one four years later. They need that time to build a campaign organisation and attract financial contributions. In the presidential election year, from January through June, candidates participate in primary elections and political party caucuses trying to clinch their political party’s nomination long before the November general election. The final stage of the election begins in the summer, when the two major political parties hold their national conventions and formally nominate their candidates.
Task.
Read 'Elections in the United States' and complete the questions.
While voting is compulsory in Australia, it is seen as a privilege in the United States and citizens are encouraged to register to vote. As you can see though, only a little over half of the voting age population typically cast a vote in November.
While Australia has multiple parties, the U.S. is lead by two major political parties. The Democrats and Republicans
Preselections vs Primaries.
Primary elections are held in 38 states and Washington, D.C. }13 states hold caucuses instead of primary elections. In Australia, party leaders typically determine who will be their candidates through the preselection process. In the U.S., they select their candidates through elections. However, the role of the superdelegates can be similar to what takes place in preselections. More on that later…
National conventions.
The two major political parties formally nominate their presidential candidates at national conventions in the summer. In September, October and early November the nominees hold debates and continue to rally voters, especially in closely divided “swing” states.
Republican National Convention: July 18-21 Cleveland, OH
Democratic National Convention: July 25-28 Philadelphia, PA
At the conventions, the parties will nominate their candidates and outline their platforms for the election. It’s also an opportunity for the parties to showcase rising stars.
Republican National Convention: July 18-21 Cleveland, OH
Democratic National Convention: July 25-28 Philadelphia, PA
At the conventions, the parties will nominate their candidates and outline their platforms for the election. It’s also an opportunity for the parties to showcase rising stars.
Task.
Read 'The United States: Electoral system" and complete the questions.
General elections.
Once the primary elections and conventions conclude, the general election is held to determine who will be elected to hold office. In the general election, voters make the final determination from among the party candidates listed on the ballot. The general election ballot may also include independent candidates (those not affiliated with a major political party) who gain access to the ballot by submitting a specified number of petition signatures, rather than by the traditional primary method. In the general election for president and vice president, voters across the United States make a final choice among the candidates nominated by the Democratic and Republican parties and any independent candidates who are running.
In November, U.S. citizens vote for the party nominee indirectly; they actually elect people called electors who pledge to support the chosen candidate. Collectively the 538 electors are called the Electoral College. The number of electors assigned to each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., is based on population. In December, the electors formally elect the president, casting their ballots in line with the popular vote results in their state. The U.S. Congress formally counts the electors’ votes in early January. A president’s four-year term begins January 20 following the November general election. Voters in general elections every two years also elect all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives for two-year terms and 33 or 34 of the U.S. senators for six-year terms. (Elections to fill the unexpired Senate terms of member who resigned or died in office also take place in November.) Representatives to the House and Senate are not selected by the Electoral College; they are elected directly by the people. On the same day in November as the national election, many state and local governments hold general elections for state governors and state legislatures, mayors and other state and local officeholders.
In November, U.S. citizens vote for the party nominee indirectly; they actually elect people called electors who pledge to support the chosen candidate. Collectively the 538 electors are called the Electoral College. The number of electors assigned to each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., is based on population. In December, the electors formally elect the president, casting their ballots in line with the popular vote results in their state. The U.S. Congress formally counts the electors’ votes in early January. A president’s four-year term begins January 20 following the November general election. Voters in general elections every two years also elect all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives for two-year terms and 33 or 34 of the U.S. senators for six-year terms. (Elections to fill the unexpired Senate terms of member who resigned or died in office also take place in November.) Representatives to the House and Senate are not selected by the Electoral College; they are elected directly by the people. On the same day in November as the national election, many state and local governments hold general elections for state governors and state legislatures, mayors and other state and local officeholders.
Task.
Read 'The United States: Electoral and voting systems of the USA'