Presidential Election: Key Facts for US Voters

The United States is getting ready for its next big presidential election. What makes this election so important? It’s all about understanding the complex process from primaries to the Electoral College. Knowing these details is key for every voter who wants to make a difference.

So, what are the main things you should know about this critical event? It’s what will decide who leads the country next.

Key Takeaways

• The 2020 presidential election saw a 7-percentage-point increase in voter turnout, with 66% of eligible U.S. citizens casting a ballot¹.
• Joe Biden secured a 306-232 victory in the Electoral College and a 4-point margin in the popular vote¹.
• Demographic shifts in 2020 included gains for Trump among Hispanic voters without college degrees and strong support for Biden from Black voters¹.
• A record number of voters, nearly half, cast ballots by mail in 2020, including many first-time mail-in voters¹.
• The 2024 election is projected to have over 162 million ballots cast if turnout reaches 2020 levels².

Becoming the Presidential Candidate

To become a presidential candidate, you must meet certain legal requirements. You need to be a natural-born US citizen, at least 35 years old, and have lived in the United States for 14 years³. Then, you go through primary elections and caucuses. These are how political parties pick their nominees⁴.

Requirements for Running

When you spend or raise over $5,000 for a federal office, you become a candidate³. You must set up a campaign committee within 15 days of starting your campaign. This is done by filing a Statement of Candidacy or Form 2³. All candidates, even those already in office, must register with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for each election cycle³.

Primary Elections and Caucuses

Starting in February, Primaries and Caucuses begin. These events lead to the selection of delegates who will speak for the people at the conventions⁴. The results from Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina are key in picking the final nominee for each party⁴. In 48 states, delegates are chosen through primaries or caucuses. The candidate with the most votes in each state gets the nomination⁵. Early primaries are important because they set the tone for the election and affect other state races⁵.

“In the first year of primary elections for presidential candidates in 1912, nine states elected delegates supporting Theodore Roosevelt, with William Howard Taft winning only one primary election. However, despite Roosevelt winning the popular vote, Taft received the Republican nomination because only 42% of convention delegates had been chosen through primary elections.”⁵

Candidates from the Democrats and Republicans start their campaigns a year before the election⁴. They also take part in televised debates during the campaign⁴. Each party has a national convention to choose their final nominee⁴.

In the general election, people across the country vote for one President and Vice President⁴.⁴³⁵

National Conventions and Nominee Selection

Every four years, major political parties in the U.S. hold national conventions. These events are key for picking their presidential and vice presidential candidates⁶. They help the parties pick their nominees and build support for the election⁶. Since 1832, the national convention has been the main way to choose presidential nominees, moving away from earlier methods⁶.

In a brokered convention, if no candidate gets a majority, all delegates can change their vote⁶. Since 1972, most delegates are chosen in state primaries⁶.

The Democratic and Republican parties hold these conventions every four years. Some minor parties like the Green and Libertarian also do this⁶. In 2020, the conventions went virtual due to COVID-19⁶.

The 2024 Democratic National Convention will be in Chicago from August 19-22⁷. The Republican Convention will be in Milwaukee from July 15-19⁷. The Green Party’s convention will be online from July 11-14⁷. The Libertarian Convention was in Washington, D.C. from May 24-26⁷.

The Republican National Convention will officially nominate former President Donald Trump from July 15-18⁸. Trump will likely accept the nomination on July 18⁸. Over 50,000 people and hundreds of journalists will attend in Milwaukee, Wisconsin⁸. Wisconsin is important as it has picked the winning candidate in the last four elections⁸.

The Democratic Party will hold their convention in Chicago from August 19-22⁸.

“The Republican Party’s platform committee approved a 16-page platform that embraces Trump’s views on abortion being a state-level issue, a missile defense shield, large deportation of illegal immigrants, tax cuts, and other policy positions.”

The Presidential General Election Process

In the United States, the presidential general election happens every four years. It’s a key event to pick the next President and Vice President⁹. Eligible American voters vote for the candidates they like, without caring about party or past votes.

Voting Eligibility and Methods

To vote, you must be a U.S. citizen and registered in your state⁹. You can vote in many ways, like on Election Day, by absentee or mail-in ballots, or early voting. Each state has its own rules for these methods.

Many people choose to vote in person on Election Day, which is usually the first or second Tuesday of November⁹. Others prefer absentee or mail-in ballots to vote from home. Early voting lets people vote before Election Day.

No matter how you vote, it’s crucial to take part in the election. This way, your voice is heard and your choice matters in the outcome⁹.

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

– The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

The Electoral College System

The United States presidential election is not decided by the popular vote. Instead, it’s through the electoral college system. This system has 538 electors¹⁰ who choose the president and vice president. Each state gets electors based on its Congress members, and the District of Columbia gets 3 electors¹⁰.

To win, a candidate needs 270 electoral votes¹⁰. Most states give all their electoral votes to the winning candidate¹⁰. But Maine and Nebraska do it differently, using a “proportional representation” system¹⁰.

Electors vote on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December¹⁰. These votes are counted in Congress on January 6th¹⁰. The president is inaugurated on January 20th¹⁰.

The electoral college has been around since the start of the country. Some people don’t like it because it can lead to a president not winning the popular vote¹¹. Others worry about “faithless electors” who might not follow their state’s vote¹¹. Still, the electoral college is a key part of U.S. presidential elections.

“The Electoral College is a system, not a physical place. It is the group of presidential electors required by the Constitution to form every four years for the sole purpose of electing the president and vice president.”
– National Conference of State Legislatures

Voter Eligibility and Turnout Statistics

The United States presidential election is a key event that shapes the country’s politics. It’s vital to understand voter eligibility and turnout to grasp the democratic process and the voice of the people¹².

About 240 million citizens could vote in the 2020 election. Of these, 66.1% cast their ballots, making a total of 158,427,986 votes¹². That year, Joseph Biden got 81,283,501 votes, Donald Trump 74,223,975, and others 2,920,510¹².

Since 1932, voter turnout has varied from 52.6% to 79.21% of eligible voters¹². Factors like voting rights, registration ease, and election competitiveness affect turnout¹². Midterm elections usually see lower turnout than presidential ones¹².

In the U.S., voting-age turnout and registered-voter turnout can differ significantly. In 2020, 62.8% of voting-age people turned out, while 94.1% of registered voters did¹³.

The Constitution lets states manage voting rights and election processes. This leads to differences in voter turnout across states¹². For example, turnout ranged from 54.43% in Oklahoma to 79.21% in Minnesota in 2020¹².

Historical events have shaped voter turnout in the U.S. Universal white male suffrage came in the early 19th century, followed by African American male suffrage in the 1870s¹². The Fifteenth Amendment in 1870 gave African American men the vote, increasing eligible voters¹². Thomas Mundy Peterson was the first African American man to vote after this amendment in 1870 in New Jersey¹².

Recent elections have focused on voter turnout. The 2020 election saw a 66% turnout, the highest since 1900¹⁴. The 2018 midterm had a 49% turnout, the highest since 1914¹⁴. The 2022 election had a 46% turnout, the highest since 1970¹⁴.

70% of eligible U.S. adults voted in at least one of the 2018, 2020, and 2022 elections¹⁴. Yet, 48% of those who vote sometimes or not often lean Democratic, while 46% lean Republican¹⁴.

Understanding voter eligibility and turnout is key to analyzing U.S. democracy. The data shows how complex and dynamic voter participation is, with differences across states and demographics. These insights can help shape future election policies and efforts to make voting more inclusive¹²¹³¹⁴.

Ballot Finalization Deadlines

As the 2024 presidential election gets closer, it’s key for voters to know the deadlines for ballot finalization. Federal law says military ballots must go out 45 days before Election Day. This means the presidential primary ballot in every state is set by early April¹⁵. It gives active-duty service members and overseas citizens enough time to vote in the federal primary elections.

The deadline for the general election ballots is early September. But, ongoing legal issues might push this back¹⁵. This deadline is vital for election officials to prepare and send out ballots. It also gives voters enough time to vote, either in person or by mail.

1. Primary Election for the 2024 presidential election is set for August 20th, 2024¹⁵.
2. The last day to register for the Primary Election is July 22nd, 2024¹⁵.
3. Early Voting for the Primary Election starts on August 5th to August 18th, 2024, from 9 AM to 7 PM¹⁵.
4. The General Election for the 2024 presidential election is on November 5th, 2024¹⁵.
5. Last day to register for the General Election is October 7th, 2024¹⁵.
6. Early Voting for the General Election is from October 21st to November 3rd, 2024, from 8 AM to 8 PM¹⁵.
7. Testing of voting equipment for the Primary Election is on July 26th, 2024, at 9 AM¹⁵.
8. Testing of voting equipment for the General Election is on October 11th, 2024, at 9 AM¹⁵.
9. You must return a Vote-by-Mail ballot by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day if not submitted earlier¹⁵.
10. Voters must vote at their assigned Polling Location on Election Day¹⁵.
11. Checking signatures is key in the voting process; they verify ballots¹⁵.

Florida, a crucial swing state, has its own deadlines and rules for the 2024 presidential¹⁶ election. Florida holds a closed primary election¹⁶. The Primary Election is 11 weeks before the General Election¹⁶. At the national convention, Florida’s delegates choose the preferred presidential candidate¹⁶. To vote in a primary, you must be registered with a Florida political party¹⁶. All voters can vote in a primary for offices with no opposition¹⁶.

Across the country, states have their own rules for checking election results¹⁷. For example, in Alabama, officials count votes on the second Friday after the election¹⁷. In Alaska, counting ballots ends the day after the election¹⁷. These rules highlight the need to stay informed and active in voting.

Potential Policy Changes and Risks

Small changes to election policies can make a big difference in democracy. But big changes during an election can cause confusion and make people lose trust¹⁸. For example, switching from machine counting to hand counting might slow down results and make people doubt the system¹⁸.

Ballot Counting Methods: Risks and Considerations

In 2020, the ACLU stopped the Trump administration from changing the election process several times¹⁸. If Trump wins again, he might not count votes from certain groups like Latinx and Asian communities¹⁸. This could affect their rights and resources for years¹⁸. The ACLU is prepared to fight in court to protect the election¹⁸.

The ACLU has taken over 430 legal actions against Trump from 2017-2021¹⁹. They work for laws that make it easier for everyone to vote¹⁹. They’re watching out for threats like the citizenship question, voting limits, and less access to voting¹⁹.

In the 2016 election, the winner in some states won by a tiny margin²⁰. If just a small number of people in key states believed false stories, the election could have turned out differently²⁰. This pattern happened again in 2020, where false news could sway the election in certain states²⁰.

The Electoral College makes some voters very powerful, making them easy targets for false information²⁰. The ACLU says a second Trump term would be bad for elections, calling for everyone to stand up for democracy¹⁸.

“A second Trump administration’s attempts to remove noncitizens from the census count could be deemed unlawful under the Fourteenth Amendment.”¹⁸

The ACLU is teaming up with Congress to pass laws that protect voting rights¹⁸. These laws are key to stopping racial voting discrimination and making sure everyone can vote¹⁹.

Pre-Election Day Ballot Processing

The 2024 presidential election is getting closer, making pre-election day ballot processing a big topic²¹. In states like Massachusetts, voters can vote by mail, and they send out applications 45 days before the election²¹. These mail-in ballots must be in by 8 pm on Election Day for primaries and 5 pm three days later for general elections. They need a postmark on or before Election Day²¹.

But, how ballots are processed before Election Day changes a lot from state to state²². Some places like California and Massachusetts start processing ballots weeks early. Others, like Pennsylvania, wait until Election Day²². This difference can affect when we see early results, with some states taking longer to share them²².

The 2020 election showed us a big change, with²³ more people voting in person than by mail²³. Trump voters were more likely to vote in person, while Biden voters were more likely to vote by mail²³. Also, most people who voted by mail sent their ballots back a week early²³.

As we get closer to the 2024 election, how we process ballots before Election Day will be very important. It will affect the election and how we see early results. Everyone needs to stay updated and careful to keep the election fair and open.

“As the 2024 election approaches, the processes and timelines for pre-election day ballot processing will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the overall electoral landscape and the reporting of unofficial results.”

Election Administration Standards

Election administration has gotten better over the years, but it’s not the same everywhere in the U.S. The Bipartisan Policy Center suggests basic standards for voter registration, casting ballots, and counting results. These standards help states get federal funding²⁴. Georgia and Colorado are the only ones that meet all these standards. But 26 other states do well in three out of these areas²⁴.

To build trust in elections, the report stresses the need for ethical rules²⁴. It lists seven key principles. These include following the law, being open, honest, fair, and professional²⁴.

The report was made with input from election officials from places like Maricopa County and Los Angeles County²⁴. Big names like Charles Stewart III, Bob Bauer, and Ben Ginsberg led the effort²⁴.

The Bipartisan Policy Center wants to set the same rules for election management. But, each state has its own way of doing things. State laws say who does what, like county clerks and election boards²⁵.

In California, elections are different in each county. Some have a county clerk, and 13 have a registrar of voters²⁵. The state helps voters by offering registration in many languages and programs for young people²⁶.

The aim is to make elections fair, open, and trusted by everyone. We’ve made progress, but we still need to do more. We want a system that works for all eligible voters²⁴.

Unofficial Results and the Risk of Misinformation

Election results aren’t final on Election Day. States have different deadlines to certify results, from two to 29 days after the election²⁷. This time between the election and official results can lead to misinformation. Such misinformation can harm trust in our democracy²⁷.

Right-wing groups profit from spreading false information about voting and elections²⁷. The 2022 elections were harder for voters than in 2020, despite getting used to new voting ways during the pandemic²⁷. The tech industry’s focus on making money and competing with each other has led to less strict rules for what content is allowed online²⁷.

Election denial is often driven by racial bias among Republicans, and by conspiracy theories, racial bias, and Christian nationalism among independents²⁷. In the last month of the 2020 election, Donald Trump and 25 other influencers spread a lot of false information about voter fraud²⁷. Political podcasts also helped spread these false stories, as found by the Brookings Institution²⁷.

But, studies of the 2020 election in Arizona and Pennsylvania show the democratic process is strong. In Maricopa County, Arizona, only six votes for Donald Trump were found to be incorrectly counted out of 27,869, showing a very small mistake rate of 0.37%²⁸. In Pennsylvania, Joe Biden’s win was confirmed, with no big problems found in counting votes²⁹.

Even with efforts to doubt the results, the 2020 election has been checked and confirmed by many authorities. This shows the election was fair. As we wait for final results, it’s important to trust credible sources and facts to keep faith in our democracy²⁸²⁹.

“The integrity of our elections is the foundation of our democracy. We must remain vigilant against attempts to undermine public trust, and focus on the facts to uphold the will of the people.”

presidential election

The 2024 presidential election in the United States is set to be a key moment for democracy. Voters need to know how the election works, from picking candidates to the Electoral College’s role³⁰.

In the U.S., people don’t directly vote for the president. Instead, they choose Electoral College members who then vote for the president and vice president. A candidate needs 270 of 538 electoral votes to win³⁰. This system, set by the Constitution, has led to surprises, like in 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016, where the winner didn’t get the most votes³⁰.

The 2024 election is shaping up to be intense, with many candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties³¹. Donald Trump and Joe Biden are likely nominees, possibly facing off again after 2020³¹. But, the race has seen many changes, with some candidates dropping out³¹.

Voters need to know about key issues like abortion, border security, healthcare, and more³². The 2024 election’s outcome will greatly affect the country. It’s crucial that everyone who can votes does, making their voice heard in this important election³²³⁰³¹.

Local Vote Certification Challenges

Lately, the process of certifying vote totals has been delayed by lawsuits. This could put Americans’³³ votes at risk. The Electoral College deadlines are strict, and delays could affect the election outcome.

In November 2022, Cochise County, Arizona, didn’t certify the election results, affecting 47,000 votes³³. Several counties, like Otero County, New Mexico, and Esmeralda County, Nevada, also delayed or threatened to delay certification due to election denialism³³. Even after the January 6 incident, the Colorado Republican Party advised counties not to certify election results in November 2023³³.

Before 2020, it was rare for local officials to challenge election results. But in 2022, officials in North Carolina, Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico refused to certify³⁴. That year, 10 instances of officials refusing to certify were recorded in four states. Most times, the state didn’t take action³⁴. Two cases led to criminal investigations, with officials facing possible removal³⁴.

Since 2020, officials in five key states have tried to block vote tallies. So far, they haven’t succeeded³⁵. Delaying certification could change the election outcome, especially if it affects a state’s electoral votes³⁵. If certification is delayed, a state’s votes might not be counted during Congress’s joint session on Jan. 6³⁵.

State certification processes are strict to prevent manipulation³³. This article aims to help election officials, candidates, and advocates deal with certification challenges. It uses historical and current insights.

Trying to hold officials accountable for not certifying elections is challenging³⁴. In Nevada and New Mexico, some Republican officials refused to certify, but were later ordered to do so³⁴. Nevada and New Mexico chose not to punish these officials, focusing on certifying the elections³⁴. In New Mexico, the issue was limited to two officials, with no major concerns for future elections³⁴.

A 1899 case in Coffee County, Georgia, shows how minor issues can cause certification delays³³. Today, Republicans control 28 of the 50 state delegations in the House³⁵. Groups supporting Trump’s election efforts are funding challenges to the current election results³⁵.

Electoral Deadlines and Litigation Risks

Finalizing the presidential election results is complex, with many deadlines and risks of lawsuits. The Electoral Count Reform Act sets federal deadlines, but not all states follow these rules³⁶. This could lead to legal fights if recounts and challenges go into December, affecting the election’s outcome³⁶.

Each state has its own rules for filing election lawsuits and challenging results³⁶. For example, in Alabama, you must start lawsuits in county circuit court within 20 days after results are certified³⁶. In Arizona, you have five days after the results are certified to challenge any office³⁶.

In swing states like Pennsylvania, the 2020 election led to a lot of legal battles³⁷. There could be disputes over drop boxes and mail ballots, possibly going to the U.S. Supreme Court³⁷. Experts think Pennsylvania might see even more legal action than before³⁷.

Recently, former President Donald Trump was banned from running in Maine and Colorado because of the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot³⁸. This decision has sparked different opinions, and the Supreme Court might have to step in³⁸.

As the 2024 election gets closer, voters and officials face a complex mix of deadlines and legal risks. Knowing these rules and keeping up with legal changes is key to a fair election³⁶.

These deadlines and legal risks show why it’s vital to understand the complex election process and keep up with legal issues in the 2024 presidential election³⁶.

“The failure to certify results may lead to chaos and further litigation, according to legal scholars.”³⁷

State vs Federal Deadline Conflicts

The presidential election in the U.S. has a complex mix of state and federal deadlines. This mix can risk the election’s integrity³⁹. These conflicts could lead to long delays and hurt trust in the election’s outcome. Ongoing legal issues add to the uncertainty.

States must send Certificates of Ascertainment by December 11, 2024, six days before electors meet³⁹. Electors will vote on December 17, 2024. They must send their votes by December 25, 2024, by the fourth Wednesday of the month³⁹⁴⁰.

State and federal deadlines could clash further. By January 3, 2025, the Archivist must give Congress the Certificates. A joint session of Congress will count the electoral votes on January 6, 2025, unless changed by law³⁹⁴⁰.

The Inauguration is set for January 20, 2025, at noon, despite any legal issues⁴⁰.

There’s ongoing debate and lawsuits over state and federal deadlines. The National Conference of State notes most Electoral College reform bills from 2001 to 2006 wanted a district system. None passed, but the U.S. Supreme Court said “faithless elector” laws are okay⁴¹.

As the 2024 election nears, everyone must watch out for state and federal deadline conflicts. Following established timelines and working together will help ensure a smooth election³⁹⁴⁰.

“The potential for conflicts between state and federal deadlines has been a topic of ongoing discussion and litigation.”

State and federal election deadlines bring big challenges. Clear communication and teamwork are key to a fair election. As the 2024 election comes closer, staying alert and taking action is vital for a smooth power transfer.

Conclusion

The US presidential election is a complex process that shapes the country’s leadership. This article has given key info on the election stages, from picking candidates to the final results. It aims to help US voters understand this important democratic event⁴².

The American political scene is mainly ruled by the two-party system. The Republican and Democratic Parties stand for different beliefs⁴². Even though some voters are unsure or have mixed feelings, the democratic process is key to the nation’s leadership⁴³. As the 2024 election gets closer, people are keeping an eye on the news and political events⁴³. Third-party candidates also try to gain support if people are unhappy with the top candidates⁴⁴.

The US presidential election shows the power and strength of democracy. By learning about the election process, from picking candidates to counting votes, voters can make better choices. This article has tried to give a full view of the election. It helps readers know how to vote and be active citizens⁴²⁴³⁴⁴.

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