The US Election 2024:An Exclusive Guide to Know The Electoral System
Election day is just days away now for the US Election 2024. Some exclusive and basic information can help people around the globe understand the intricacies of how the Presidential vote/election works in the United States.
Key Dates to Watch?
- Election Day: November 5– Most Americans vote in person or by mail.
- Certification deadlines: November 6 – December 11– States certify election results within this time frame.
- Electoral College vote: December 17– Electors meet to cast their official votes.
- Congress counts electoral votes: January 6, 2025– Congress convenes to count and confirm electoral votes.
- Inauguration Day: January 20, 2025– The president-elect is sworn in, marking the transition of power.
Who can vote?
In the US, citizens must meet some basic eligibility criteria to vote. They must be:
- A US citizen
- A resident of the state where they registered to vote
- 18 years or older
Voter eligibility can vary from state to state, particularly when it comes to criminal convictions. For example, individuals who have a criminal record may face restrictions in certain states, including losing the right to vote permanently.
It is estimated that there are more than 230 million people who are eligible to vote in the United States. However approximately only 160 million of them are registered voters, and not all of them will actually vote. In the 2020 election, the turnout was around 66 per cent of eligible voters, the highest it has been for more than a century.
The United States Electoral College
The United States Electoral College is a process by which the President and Vice President of the United States are elected. In this system, each state is assigned a certain number of electors based on the total number of its Representatives and Senators in Congress.
During a presidential election, voters in each state cast their votes for a slate of electors who are pledged to a particular candidate. These electors then formally elect the President and Vice President.
The candidate who receives a majority of electoral votes (at least 270 out of 538) wins the election. This system was established by the U.S. Constitution and has been in place since the country’s early days. It has been a topic of debate and discussion over the years, with some advocating for its reform or abolition.
Here is a breakdown of the merits and demerits that can emerge from polling in subsequent elections:
Merits:
- Accurate Representation: Polling can provide a snapshot of public opinion and help gauge the potential outcome of an election, providing valuable insights into voter preferences.
- Strategic Planning: Political parties can use polling data to tailor their campaign strategies, target key demographics, and allocate resources effectively based on voter sentiments.
- Engagement: Polling can increase civic engagement by encouraging voters to reflect on their choices, participate in discussions, and ultimately turn out to vote on election day.
- Transparency: Publicizing polling results can foster transparency in the electoral process, allowing for open discussions about trends, issues, and potential outcomes.
Demerits:
- Influence on Voters: Poll results, especially if widely publicized, can influence voters by shaping perceptions of candidate viability, potentially swaying decisions based on perceived momentum rather than policies.
- Margin of Error: Polls are subject to a margin of error, which means that the actual election results may differ from the predictions, leading to misinformation or misplaced confidence in certain outcomes.
- Voter Apathy: In some cases, if polls consistently predict a landslide victory for a particular candidate or party, it can discourage voter turnout due to a perception that the result is a foregone conclusion.
- Misinterpretation: Incorrect interpretation of polling data by the media or public can lead to misunderstandings about the true state of the election, causing confusion or disillusionment.
Overall, while polling can offer valuable insights into public opinion and aid in strategic decision-making, it is essential to view poll results with a critical eye and consider the broader context and potential impact on the electoral process and voter behaviour.
Several amendments have been proposed and adopted to make elections more transparent and ensure fairness and integrity in the electoral process. Here are some common measures:
- Campaign Finance Reform: Implementing rules to disclose campaign contributions and expenditures to prevent undue influence by wealthy donors and special interests.
- Voter Identification Laws: Requiring voters to present identification at the polls to verify their identity and prevent voter fraud.
- Paper Trail for Electronic Voting Machines: Introducing a paper record of votes cast on electronic voting machines to allow for audits and recounts.
- Independent Redistricting Commissions: Establishing independent bodies to draw electoral district boundaries fairly and without partisan bias.
- Expanded Access to Voting: Enacting measures such as early voting, absentee balloting, and online voter registration to make it easier for eligible citizens to vote.
- Poll Watchers: Allowing independent observers to monitor polling places to ensure compliance with election laws and procedures.
- Transparency in Political Advertising: Requiring disclosure of funding sources for political advertisements to prevent undisclosed influence on voters.
- Cybersecurity Measures: Implementing cybersecurity protocols to safeguard voter registration databases and electoral systems from hacking and interference.
By adopting these amendments and implementing such measures, countries aim to uphold the principles of democracy and promote trust in the electoral process.
The Political Landscape
While there are third-party or independent candidates like Jill Stein from the Green Party, Chase Oliver from the Libertarian Party, and the anti-war scholar Cornel West, the primary focus remains on the Democratic and Republican nominees.
President and Vice Presidents Designate
During the election phase, presidential candidates designate their running mates, such as Democrat and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Republican Ohio Senator JD Vance. These running mates would assume the role of vice president if the candidate’s bid is successful. Subsequently, voters cast their ballots for both president and vice president, with the results then channelled through the Electoral College.
Election Date:
Since 1845, US elections have consistently taken place on the first Tuesday of November. However, voters also have the option of early voting in most states, with over 52 million votes already cast.
Electoral College
To comprehend the intricate workings of the US electoral process and how voters determine their next leader, one must grasp the concept of the US Electoral College. Unlike members of the US Congress who are directly elected by the populace, the US president is not chosen through a direct national vote. Instead, when Americans cast their votes, they are essentially selecting a group of “electors” from their state who pledge to vote for specific presidential and vice-presidential candidates based on the state’s voting outcomes for each candidate. Once the votes are tallied and confirmed, these electors formally cast their votes.
In the US, presidential elections are ultimately decided through a state-based vote allocation system. Before the election, political parties in each state nominate a set of electors – actual individuals who will eventually cast a vote for the president. Each state is assigned the same number of electors as its representatives in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate combined. For instance, Michigan is allocated 15 Electoral College votes, corresponding to its two senators and 13 House members.
The allocation of these electors’ votes varies across states, with the majority adopting a winner-takes-all system, where the presidential candidate with the highest number of votes in a state secures all of its electors. Maine and Nebraska, however, employ a more intricate system that considers the popular vote at both the state and congressional district levels. Additionally, the District of Columbia, although not a state, is granted three Electoral College votes.
The Magic Number to Win President Seat
Crucially, to claim victory in the presidential race, a candidate must secure the majority of electors’ votes. Out of a total of 538 Electoral College votes, a minimum of 270 is required to clinch the presidency. The electors convene in December following the election to cast their votes, which are then endorsed by Congress in early January, thereby confirming the president-elect who subsequently assumes office.
In essence, winning the US presidency necessitates garnering support in key states to achieve the critical Electoral College threshold of 270 votes. This system, however, can result in scenarios where a candidate securing the popular vote across the nation may not emerge victorious. A notable instance occurred in 2016 when Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton won the popular vote but was defeated by Republican candidate Donald Trump, who secured crucial victories in states like Florida and Pennsylvania, each offering a substantial number of Electoral College votes.
The Electoral College mechanism was devised to safeguard the political influence of individual states. While some advocate for its abolition in favour of a popular vote system, others argue that it prevents densely populated states from overshadowing smaller ones, thereby promoting minority representation in the US democratic framework.
The Electoral College stands at the core of the US presidential election process, embodying a complex yet pivotal role in determining the country’s leadership. Despite its perceived complexity, a comprehensive understanding of the Electoral College is essential in unravelling the intricacies of American democracy.
Source:
- 2024 United States presidential election – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_United_States_presidential_election
- https://www.aljazeera.com/
If you enjoyed this article, please like and share it with your friends, and don’t forget to Share your personal experience/observations thoughts and valuable suggestions to share for the education /benefit of others. Do subscribe to remain onboard and get more great content!
US Election 2024: America’s Choice for President and New Begining
