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Civics 101            


Elections

  • Candidate Elections
    • Primary = candidates compete for their political party’s nomination
      • A political party selects one candidate to represent the party in the general election
      • Held in the winter, spring, or summer – depending on the state
      • Most states hold primary elections, but some hold caucuses
        • Primary election = vote by secret ballot to select a party’s candidate
          • Closed primary = only party members can participate
          • Open primary = non-members of a party can participate
        • Caucus = meeting of party members to discuss and vote on which candidate should represent the party
      • Top-two primary = all candidates from all parties compete for two spots in the general election
        • The two candidates in the general election could be from the same party, different parties, or no party
    • General election = candidates compete for political office
      • All voters select one candidate to serve in office
        • Candidates from multiple parties or no party compete
        • Note: some general elections allow for multiple winners
      • Held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
        • Some states allow early voting
    • ​​Video: Political Party Primary Elections vs. Caucuses
 
  • Issue Elections
    • Referendum = citizens vote to accept or reject a law passed by a legislature
      • Only some state and local governments allow for referendums
      • Legislative referendum = the legislature decides to put the law on the ballot
      • Popular referendum = citizens use a petition to put laws passed by the legislature on the ballot
    • Initiative = citizens vote on proposed news laws or amendments to their state constitution
      • Only some state governments allow for referendums
      • If a petition receives enough signatures, a proposition (prop) is put on the ballot for voters to accept or reject
 
  • Election Logistics
    • Election formats
      • Plurality = the candidate with the most votes wins
      • Majority = the candidate with a majority wins
        • If there is not a majority, a next step is required
          • Could a run-off election between the top candidates only
          • For the Electoral College system, the House of Representatives chooses the winner
      • Electoral college = an indirect system of electing the president in which citizens vote for electors (popular vote) and the electors choose the president (electoral vote)
        • ​Videos: ​​The Electoral College, the Origin of the Electoral College, The Electoral College and the 12th Amendment, and Electoral College Criticisms​​​
    • Timing of elections
      • Presidential election = held every four years (always even numbered years)
        • President and vice president are elected as well as all members of the House of Representatives and one-third of Senators
        • State and local offices may also be elected
        • Video: U.S. Constitution and Presidential Elections
      • Midterm election = occurs in the even numbered years in which there is not a presidential election
        • All member of the House of Representatives are elected as well as one-third of Senators
        • State and local offices may also be elected
      • Off-year election = occur in odd-numbered years
        • State and local offices may be elected
      • Special elections
        • Recall = an election that allows citizens to vote to decide if a politician is removed from office before the end of his/her term
          • If a petition to recall a politician receives enough signatures, a recall election will be held
          • Only possible in some states
        • A special election can be held at any time to fill an office that is vacated by a politician who resigns, is removed, or dies before the end of his/her term
Click here for links to useful election-related resources
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