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Understanding the US Election Process
This text details the mechanics of the US presidential election, explaining voting eligibility, the electoral process, vote counting procedures, and the role of the Electoral College and swing states.
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Us PoliticsElectionsGovernmentVotingElectoral College
Pew Research CenterDw
Kamala HarrisDonald TrumpHillary ClintonJoe Biden
- What happens after the polls close on Election Day?
- After polls close, votes are counted in thousands of polling districts across the country. The process varies based on the method of voting (mail-in, in-person), with paper ballots requiring manual counting and digital machines providing immediate data.
- Who is eligible to vote in the US presidential election?
- US citizens aged 18 and older, with some exceptions for those convicted of felonies, are eligible to vote. Voting can be done by mail, early in person, or on Election Day at a polling place.
- Can convicted felons be elected to office in the United States?
- Yes, even those with criminal convictions can run for office in the US. There are no federal laws preventing it, as demonstrated by Donald Trump's past presidential campaigns.
- Besides the president, who else is elected during the US election?
- Besides the presidential election, voters choose members of Congress (Senate and House of Representatives). A total of 469 seats are up for grabs in this election.
- How many votes are needed to win the US presidential election, and what is the significance of swing states?
- A candidate needs a majority of electoral votes (270 out of 538) to win the presidency, not necessarily the popular vote. Swing states, which don't consistently favor Democrats or Republicans, play a crucial role in determining the election outcome.