Posts Tagged ‘US Elections’
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: A Timeless Tale of Idealism and Integrity
On October 17, 1939, Frank Capra’s Mr. Smith Goes to Washington premiered, becoming a landmark in American cinema. Starring James Stewart as the sincere and unassuming Jefferson Smith, this political drama explores the conflict between idealism and corruption in the American political system. The film captured the hearts of audiences and left an indelible mark…
Read MoreNovember 2024 General Election: How Are Secretaries of State Preparing Nationwide?
50 states are each in charge of their elections. Join the O’Connor Institute and National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) to learn how our nation’s elections officers are preparing for the November 5th election. How are the elected officials in charge of American elections preparing for November?
Read MoreThe 26th Amendment
A significant turning point in American history was the ratification of the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Millions of young Americans now have the ability to vote thanks to the reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18. Background and Context The campaign to lower the voting age gathered steam in the…
Read MoreHow Elections in the United States Work
The United States has a long and storied history of democracy, and elections have been a critical part of that story. Today, elections in the United States are held at the federal, state, and local levels. Federal elections, held every four years, select the president and vice president. State elections, held every two years, elect…
Read MoreWhy Does the Electoral College Matter?
The Electoral College is an essential part of the United States’ democratic process. Every four years, citizens across the nation participate in an election to determine the President and Vice President of the United States. However, the outcome is not determined by the popular vote but by the Electoral College. The Electoral College was established…
Read MorePrimary Elections
Primary elections are used by political parties in the United States to select their candidates for public office. They are typically held before the general election to determine which individuals will represent each party on the ballot. There are two types of primary elections: closed and open. Only registered political party members can vote for…
Read MoreNew Electoral College Map for 2024
General Elections
General elections in the United States are held to select federal, state, and local officials. These elections are typically held on the first Tuesday of November in even-numbered years. The candidates who win the general election are elected to office. All eligible voters in a district or state can vote for candidates running for office…
Read MoreRunoff Elections
Some states require the winner to receive the majority of the votes (more than 50%) and not just a plurality (the most votes). A runoff election is held when no candidate in a primary or general election receives a majority of the votes cast. The top two candidates who received the most votes proceed to…
Read MoreWhat is Ranked Choice Voting?
Ranked choice voting (RCV) is a method of voting in which voters rank candidates in order of preference. Instead of choosing just one candidate, voters can indicate which candidate is their first choice, second choice, third choice, and so on. Ranking allows voters to express a greater level of nuance in their preferences and can…
Read More