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Understanding the US Election Process
An explanation of the complexities of the US electoral system, including the Electoral College, the various elections taking place, and the presidential candidates.
Spanish
Spain
PoliticsUs PoliticsElectionsUsaVotingElectoral College
Republican PartyDemocratic PartyGallup
Donald J. TrumpKamala HarrisJill SteinRobert F. Kennedy Jr.Al Gore
- Are there more than one election?
- The US election involves more than just the presidential race. It also includes the renewal of the entire House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate, along with numerous state and local elections, judicial posts, and referendums.
- How is the president of the country chosen?
- Americans vote for electors who then cast the actual votes for president. There are 538 electors, and a candidate needs 270 to win. Most states use a winner-take-all system, awarding all electors to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state.
- When are the elections in the United States?
- The United States elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November every four years. This year, they fall on November 5th. Early voting is available in most states, and over 65 million people have already cast their ballots.
- How many candidates are there in the presidential elections?
- The main presidential candidates are Donald J. Trump (Republican) and Kamala Harris (Democrat). Other candidates with minimal chances include Jill Stein and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (whose name appears on some state ballots).
- Why is such a strange, complicated and obsolete system used?
- The Electoral College system is controversial, with many advocating for a national popular vote system. While the winner of the popular vote has historically also won the election, there have been exceptions, causing debate about the fairness and efficacy of the current system.