Whether you’re preparing or just turned 18, a new US citizen, or just unfamiliar with these election things, here we go (complete with links):
General Election: elections to fill public offices
Primary Election: prior to general, voters select which candidates will run for each party against each other
Open Primary: an election where voters can vote on Election Day, voters can only vote for candidates under one party affiliation. There are also “blanket” open primaries where voters can vote for any candidate of any party.
Close Primary: Only registered members of a particular party can vote for that party’s members
Runoff Primary: determined when no candidate receives a majority
Presidential Primary: the election where delegates are chosen to represent each party in the presidential election
Presidential Elections (Executive Branch): every 4 years, elections are normally held in November and the electoral college cast their votes in December, inauguration happens on January 20th.
US House of Representatives (Legislative Branch): Has 435 members who are elected for two year terms, elections are held during early November. Each state has a certain amount of Congressman
US Senate (Legislative Branch): The US Senate has 100 members, each state has 2 Senators and they have 6 year term limits, one third are up for election every two years (could we be more confused?)
US Supreme Court (Judicial Branch): Supreme Court judges are nominated by the president and go to the Senate Judiciary Committee, who can vote to send the nominee to Congress. Confirmation by the Senate is needed to formally appoint a Supreme Court judge. Supreme Court judges serve a life long sentence. We do not vote as citizens within Supreme Court elections, but we do vote in the Congressional and presidential elections.
Midterm Elections occur during the middle of a president’s 4 year term, so every 2 years an election is happening on the federal level (Presidential or Congressional). During Midterm elections, every state will have US HOR Congressmen up for re-election, some will also have US Senators, and state’s will most likely also have state/local specific elections as well on your ballot since it is an even numbered year. The Midterm election is considered even more important than the presidential election since these are the people making, blocking, and changing legislature.
State and local elections affect your daily life. Like on the federal level, state governments also have 3 branches of government:
Governor (Executive Branch): Governors have a 4 year term limit, along with the governor you have lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, superintendent of education, and more. Each state is unique in what offices they have.
Upper Houses and Lower Houses (Legislative Branch): This is your states Congress, the Senate and House of Representatives. Depending on the state, some senators have 4 year terms and some have 2 years, so every even numbered year a state senator will be up for election. State legislators tend to have longer terms, ranging from 8 to 12 years.
Court of Appeals/Local courts (Judicial Branch): This is your state’s judicial branch that determine law by each state’s constitution and settle court cases. Terms vary from state to state
Municipal/Local Elections
When it comes to your city, it is best to check annually about what offices and seats are up for re-election, who is running, and when to vote. These elections are important because they determine where your taxes go, rent costs, public safety, and so on. Your local paper and news station will undoubtedly have your city’s political information and election dates, as well as local party meetings, rallies, town hall meetings, and debates.
Examples of city elections:
Rock the Vote National League of Cities Ballotpedia Headcount.org
