Different Types of Elections

Presidential Elections

The upcoming November election is very important because it is a presidential election. Since a presidential term lasts 4 years, an election for the president of the United States occurs every 4 years.

The president is elected via the electoral college. This means that the amount of votes for each candidate is not determinate of the results. To win an election, a candidate must receive enough electoral votes. Each state has a certain amount of electoral votes based on the state's amount of representatives and senators. The map below shows the number of electoral votes per state. If no candidate receives enough votes, the House of Representatives chooses the president and the Senate chooses the vice president.

Presidential elections do not just elect presidents, other public officials are elected as well. They are significant because the president is being selected and this only occurs every 4 years.

Congressional Elections

Congressional elections are held to elect one-third of the senators and every representative in the House of Representatives. This is because representative terms are 2 years long and senator terms are 6 years long. Therefore, congressional elections are held every 2 years. An election can be both a congressional and presidential election. The election halfway through a presidential term is called a midterm election.

Congressional elections use the popular vote, not the electoral college. Voters vote for the politicians that are going to represent their particular state or district.

State and Local Elections

State and local elections occur in any year at any time, not just in November. These elections help elect public officials such as governor, mayor, county supervisor, town clerk, and more.