Electing the President

Only a person over 35 who was born in the US can run for President. These are the only restrictions but, in practice, presidents have always come from a narrower group of people. They have all been white, and no woman has ever been President, although Geraldine Ferraro ran for Vice-president on Walter Mondale's ticket (= in association with Mondale when he was trying to become President) in 1984. John F Kennedy was the first Roman Catholic president. Candidates are usually well-known political figures, such as the governors of large states or members of Congress. Americans believe that a president should be not only a good leader, but also a kind and honest person, so candidates are usually people who know how to seem warm and friendly, especially on television.

Presidential elections are held every four years. Early in election year, the political parties choose their candidates through a series of primary elections held in every state. Voters register to vote in either the Republican or the Democratic primary. States hold both primaries on the same day but voters are given different ballots depending on the party they choose. As these races take place it gradually becomes clear which candidates are the strongest.

In the summer each party holds a convention to make the final choice of candidates for President and Vice-president. Each state sends delegates to the conventions but they do not have to vote for the candidates who won the state's primary. The platform of ideas that candidates will emphasize during the campaign is decided at the conventions.

Presidential candidates spend tens of millions of dollars on campaigning. In order to prevent rich candidates from always winning, the federal government offers an equal sum of money to the candidates of both parties. Those who receive federal funding cannot accept money from other sources. Candidates travel round the US giving speeches and meeting voters. A popular candidate may help others from the same party running for lower offices. This is called the coat-tail effect.

In November the people go to vote. Although the President is said to be directly elected, the official vote is made by an electoral college. Each state has a certain number of electors in the college, based on the state's population. All the electors from a state must vote for the candidate who got the most votes in the state, and the candidate with at least 270 votes out of a total of 538 becomes President. This system makes states with a large population, such as California, very important.

After the election, the new President goes to Washington for the inauguration on 20 January, and takes the oath of office. Between the election and the inauguration, the old President has little power and is called informally a lame duck.

Voting procedures

US elections are held on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November. This date was selected long ago when most Americans lived in the country, because in early November there was little work on the farms and the weather was good enough to allow people to travel into the city to vote.

Americans over the age of 18 have the right to vote, but only about half of them take part in presidential elections, even fewer in other elections. One explanation for low voter turnout is the need to register to vote. People who move to another state have to register again after they move. In some places registrations forms are now available in fast-food restaurants.

A few weeks before election day registered voters receive a card telling them the address of the polling station where they should go to vote, usually a school or church hall. People who will be away on election day, or who are ill, may use an absentee ballot and post it to electionofficials.

Polling stations are open from early morning until night. Voters first have to sign their name in a book that lists all the voters in the precinct (= area) and then cast a vote. Some states use computerized systems, but the most common method is to use a voting booth. This has three sides and a curtain that closes the fourth side. In the booth are lists of candidates for each office. Voters pull down a metal lever beside the name of the person they want to vote for. The levers operate mechanical counters which record the total number of votes for each candidate. It is possible to select all the candidates from one party, and this is called voting a straight ticket. But many voters choose candidates from both parties and vote a split ticket.

Journalists and pollsters are allowed to ask people how they voted and these exit polls help predict election results. However, the results of exit polls may not be announced until polling stations everywhere have closed, in case they influence or change the result.

Polling stations are open from early morning until night. Voters first have to sign their name in a book that lists all the voters in the precinct (=area) a then cast a vote.Some states use computerized systems, but the most common method is to use a voting booth. This has three sides and a curtain that closes the fourth side. In the booth are lists of candidates for each office. Voters pull down a metal lever beside the name of the person they want to vote for. The levers operate mechanical counters which record the total number of votes for each candidate. It is possible to select all the candidates from one party, and this is called voting a straight ticket. But many voters choose candidates from both parties and vote a split ticket.

Journalists and pollsters are allowed to ask people how they voted and these exit polls help predict election results. However, the results of exit polls may not be announced until polling stations everywhere have closed, in case they influence or change the result.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1012