Political Dictionary
A presidential election selects electors who formally choose the president and vice president of the United States.
Definition
A U.S. presidential election is the nationwide electoral process used to choose the president and vice president every four years. Voters cast ballots for a presidential ticket, but constitutionally they are selecting a slate of electors pledged to that ticket. Those electors form the Electoral College. A candidate normally must receive a majority of appointed electoral votes to win.
Why It Matters
The president leads the executive branch, directs federal administration, signs or vetoes legislation, nominates federal judges, conducts diplomacy, and serves as commander in chief. Presidential elections also influence congressional turnout, party coalitions, and national policy priorities.
How It Works
Parties nominate candidates through primaries, caucuses, and conventions. Voters cast ballots in November. Most states award all electoral votes to the statewide winner, while Maine and Nebraska use district-based methods. Electors vote in December, Congress counts the votes in January, and the winner is inaugurated on January 20.
History
The constitutional system was created in 1787 and first used in 1788–1789. The Twelfth Amendment revised the process after the election of 1800. Political parties, national conventions, primaries, mass media, and modern campaign finance later transformed how candidates are nominated and elected.
Example
A candidate may win the national popular vote but lose the presidency if the opposing candidate wins enough states to secure an Electoral College majority.
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