United States presidential election

United States presidential election
Type	presidential
Country	United States
Previous election	2020 United States presidential election
Next election	2024 United States presidential election
Election date	Varies; Tuesday after first Monday in November
Votes for election	All 538 electoral votes of the Electoral College
Needed votes	270 electoral votes
Turnout	Varies, typically 50-65% of VAP

United States presidential election. The quadrennial process by which the President of the United States and Vice President of the United States are chosen. Governed by a complex framework established in the Constitution of the United States and subsequent federal and state laws, it involves a lengthy campaign, party nominating contests, and a unique Electoral College system. These events are central to the political life of the nation and are closely watched globally for their domestic and international implications.

Background and constitutional basis

The foundational rules are outlined in Article II of the Constitution of the United States, later modified by the Twelfth Amendment, Twentieth Amendment, and Twenty-second Amendment. Key compromises during the Constitutional Convention, such as the Connecticut Compromise, influenced the creation of the Electoral College. The Federalist Papers, particularly essays by Alexander Hamilton, defended this system. Further refinements came from landmark legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and Supreme Court cases such as Bush v. Gore.

Electoral process

The process begins with state-level primaries and caucuses, like the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, where delegates are selected for the Democratic National Convention and Republican National Convention. The general election culminates on Election Day. Voters cast ballots for a slate of electors pledged to candidates, with most states awarding all electors to the statewide winner under the winner-take-all method. The Electoral College then meets in each state capital, with results certified by Congress in a joint session presided over by the Vice President.

Voter eligibility and turnout

Eligibility is primarily governed by state law, within boundaries set by amendments like the Fifteenth Amendment, Nineteenth Amendment, and Twenty-sixth Amendment. Landmark legislation such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 have shaped access. Turnout varies significantly, influenced by factors like competitiveness and state laws regarding early voting and absentee voting. Organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice and the Federal Election Commission study participation trends and administration.

Political parties and nominations

Since the first party system featuring the Federalist Party and Democratic-Republican Party, the process has been dominated by major parties, currently the Democratic Party and Republican Party. The modern nomination process was reshaped after the 1968 Democratic National Convention, leading to the widespread adoption of binding primaries. Minor parties and independent candidates, such as the Libertarian Party and figures like Ross Perot, face significant ballot access hurdles established by state election codes overseen by officials like the Secretary of State in California.

History and evolution

The election of 1788–89 was uncontested, with George Washington elected unanimously. The election of 1800, a contest between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, led to the Twelfth Amendment. The 1824 election was decided by the House of Representatives in the Corrupt Bargain. The system was tested during the Civil War and the Reconstruction era. The 1960 election featured the first televised debates, and the 2000 election was resolved by the Supreme Court of the United States.

Notable elections and controversies

Many elections have been pivotal, including the 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln, which triggered secession, and the 1932 election of Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. The 1876 election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden was resolved by the Compromise of 1877. The 1912 election was transformed by the Progressive Party candidacy of Theodore Roosevelt. Recent controversies include allegations of foreign interference highlighted in the Mueller Report and disputes over electoral vote counting procedures.

Category:United States presidential elections