A national election is a democratic process by which citizens choose a representative to represent them in a branch of government. The process generally involves the casting of votes, which may be single-choice or multiple choice or ranked ballots. The results of the vote are then tallied, usually through various types of electoral systems such as proportional or majoritarian or some combination.
Politicians often get a bad rap, and it’s true that some of them do take advantage of their position to enrich themselves with power, money, business connections or perks. But many politicians have good intentions, and voting is one of the best ways to hold them accountable.
When you vote, you’re not just strengthening your voice and making your opinions known; you’re helping to elect candidates who will listen to you and represent your views on important issues. If you’re unable to vote, volunteering is another way to help your favorite candidate win.
In the US, each state gets a certain number of electoral votes based on its population in Congress (plus three for Washington D.C). Almost all states use a “winner-takes-all” system where the candidate with the most votes in a given state receives all the electors. A few states – Nebraska and Maine – determine some of their electors through district votes instead of the general ticket method. Ultimately, a candidate must win at least 270 electors to become President. Voting is a fundamental right of every American, but many people around the world do not have this privilege. Historically, authoritarian regimes have used elections as a way to achieve a degree of legitimacy by intimidating voters or manipulating the count of votes that are freely cast.