United States of America
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Direct Democracy
DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Hanna Berheim
b. Job Title: Research Assistant
c. Organisation: International IDEA
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level?
Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
f. None
Comments: f) There are however direct democracy instrument in some states, but these vary and are regulated at state level. The constitutions of 24 states, the District of Columbia and many local and city governments provide for referendums and citizens' initiative. 18 states allow recall of state officials, but only two Governors have ever been successfully recalled (1921 in North Dakota and 2003 in California).
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:11:39 UTC
DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD126 What restrictions or controls, if any, are there on media coverage of the campaign and/or issue during the relevant period?
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level?
Date (yyyy)
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
Comments: The constitutions of 24 states, the District of Columbia and many local and city governments provide for referendums.
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:14:53 UTC
DD18 Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
Comments: The constitutions of 24 states, the District of Columbia and many local and city governments provide for referendums.
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:14:53 UTC
DD19 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
Comments: The constitutions of 24 states, the District of Columbia and many local and city governments provide for referendums and citizens' initiative.
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:13:21 UTC
DD20 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:13:21 UTC
DD21 Are recalls currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some regions/states/provinces
Comments: 18 states allow recall of state officials, but only two Governors have ever been successfully recalled (1921 in North Dakota and 2003 in California).
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:13:21 UTC
DD22 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:14:53 UTC
DD23 Are optional referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:14:53 UTC
DD24 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:14:53 UTC
DD25 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:14:53 UTC
DD26 Are recalls currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
b. Yes, in some municipalities/districts/communes
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:14:53 UTC
DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD67 What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to the time period in which an individual/position can be recalled?
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD70 If a separate ballot to replace an individual who has been recalled takes place, how soon after the recall ballot is it held?
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD72 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an abrogative referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD73 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a rejective referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD74 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a citizens' initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
DD75 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an agenda initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-01-06 18:07:38 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Federal Election Commission
b. Full Address 999 E. Street, NW; Washington D.C. USA 20463
c. Telephone 202-694-1100
d. Facsimile 202-501-3413
e. Email info(a)fec.gov
f. Website Address www.fec.gov
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Darryl R. Wold, Chairman
Comments: The staff and structure of the FEC is highly diversified and complex.
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 14:47:47 GMT
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 14:51:12 GMT
EM03 The national electoral management body reports to:
a. The President
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 14:51:43 GMT
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Comments: "The Commission is made up of six members, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Each member serves a six year term, and two seats are subject to appointment every two years."
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov) "About the FEC"
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 14:57:23 GMT
Electoral Systems
ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
a. Head of State is the Head of Government
Source: The Constitution of the United States. Article II (Section 1)
Last updated: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 20:55:06 GMT
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
e. Appointed
Source: The United States Constitution. Article II (Section 1)
Last updated: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 20:54:16 GMT
ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
a. Plurality (FPTP)
Source: Federal Election Commission website (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 20:56:08 GMT
ES06 What is the electoral system for Chamber 2 of the national legislature?
a. Plurality (FPTP)
Source: Federal Election Commission website (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 20:56:49 GMT
ES08 What is the level at which seats are distributed in Chamber 1?
b. Specially delimited constituencies
Comments: "Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State..."
Source: The U.S. Constitution Amendment XIV Section 2.
Last updated: Thu, 10 May 2001 16:15:28 GMT
ES09 What is the level at which seats are distributed in Chamber 2?
c. Regional or provincial level
Comments: There are two senators from each of the 50 states in the United States.
Source: The U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 3.
Last updated: Tue, 28 May 2002 14:49:25 GMT
ES10 Are special constituencies or seats reserved in Chamber 1 for specific groups, such as minorities, specific nationality or other groups?
b. No
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:04:27 GMT
ES12 Are special constituencies or seats reserved in Chamber 2 for specific groups, such as minorities, specific nationality or other groups?
b. No
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:04:50 GMT
ES14 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a party to win seats in Chamber 1?
b. Specify the percentage:
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 13:56:47 GMT
ES15 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a party to win seats in Chamber 2?
b. Specify the percentage:
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 13:57:59 GMT
ES16 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a candidate (independent/party) to win a seat in Chamber 1?
c. Not applicable
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 13:58:26 GMT
ES17 What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a candidate (independent/party) to win a seat in Chamber 2?
c. Not applicable
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 13:58:50 GMT
ES18 Regarding the timing of the elections for Chamber 1, which of the following is true? Elections take place:
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
Comments: Elections are held every two years.
Source: The U.S. Constitution Article I Section 2
Last updated: Fri, 11 May 2001 08:35:45 GMT
ES19 Regarding the timing of the elections for Chamber 2, which of the following is true? Elections take place:
a. At fixed intervals (specify length)
Comments: Elections are held for one third of the Senate every two years. Senators hold terms of six years.
Source: The U.S. Constitution Article I Section 3.
Last updated: Fri, 11 May 2001 08:38:05 GMT
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
a. Part of Constitution
Source: The United States Constitution
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 14:29:53 GMT
LF02 What is the date of the latest version of the national electoral law (including latest amendments)?
d. January 1970- December 1979
Comments: Amendment XXVI to the U.S. Constitution (1971) and the establishment of the Federal Election Commission in 1975
Source: The U.S. Constitution and Federal Election Commission Website (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 14:40:43 GMT
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
c. Local elections
Comments: "The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations..."
Source: The U.S. Constitution Article I Section 4
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 14:39:27 GMT
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
e. Other
Comments: a) See various amendments to the constitution for the right to vote. e) Only the state of Massachusetts has provisions for compulsory voting. C: "The general court shall have authority to provide for compulsory voting at elections, but the right of secret voting shall be preserved." The authority is however not currently exercised.
Source: The U.S. Constitution; Article LXI of the Massachusetts Constitution, ratified on November 5, 1918
Last updated: 2006-11-21 21:21:37 UTC
LF05 Are there provisions in the law which permit or require regional and/ or local election (s) to be held on the same day as national elections?
c. National elections are held on the same day as regional elections only
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 14:43:09 GMT
Parties and Candidates
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
g. Nationality group
Comments: House of Representatives "No person shall be a representatvie who shall not have attained to the Age of 25 years, and been seven years a citizen of the united states, and who shall not, when elected , be an Inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen." Senate "No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and have been nine years a citizen of the united states, and who whall not when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen."
Source: The United States Constitution Article I Sections 2 and 3
Last updated: 2007-11-05 10:45:29 UTC
PC05 What are the legal qualifications for becoming a candidate at presidential elections?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
c. Country of birth
d. Residence
Comments: "No person except a natural born Citizen, or a citizen of the united states, at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be eleigible to the Office of the President, neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years, and have been fourteen years a resident within the United States."
Source: The U.S. Constitution Article II Section 1
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:38:57 GMT
PC06 What can disqualify a candidate at legislative elections?
k. Mental health problems
Comments: See PC03
Source: The U.S. Constitution Article I Sections 2 & 3
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:40:16 GMT
PC07 What can disqualify a candidate at presidential elections?
k. Mental health problems
Comments: See PC05. The President and Vice President cannot be from the same state.
Source: The U.S. Constitution Article II Section I and the 12th Amendment.
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:42:15 GMT
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
e. In both presidential and legislative elections
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:43:20 GMT
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect
Source: Center for Governmental Studies (www.cgs.org) and US Federal Election Commission (http://www.fec.gov)
Last updated: 2007-11-05 10:45:29 UTC
PC13 If political parties receive direct/indirect public funding, when do they receive this?
a. As related to the election period only
Source: http://www.fec.gov
Last updated: 2007-11-05 10:39:06 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
e. Other
Comments: The first $250 of each individual contribution that an eligible Presidential candidate receives during the primary campaign is matched with another $250.
Source: http://www.fec.gov
Last updated: 2007-11-05 10:39:06 UTC
PC16 If political parties receive public funding, what is the specified purpose?
b. Election campaign activities
Source: http://www.fec.gov
Last updated: 2007-11-05 10:45:29 UTC
Voter Education
VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
j. Religious Institutions
b. Regional Electoral Management Bodies
c. Local/County Electoral Management Bodies
d. National Government
e. Regional Governments
f. Local Governments
g. NGOs/ Civic Organizations
h. Political parties/ candidates
i. Media
Comments: At election time, and throughout the year, these different groups help promote the understanding of the electoral process and responsiblities associated with voting.
Source: Various
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:28:13 GMT
VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
b. Election time only
Comments: Although voter eductation programs are conducted at election time and in-between elections, the most fervent effort to inform voters about the candidates contesting elections and the voting process is around election time.
Source: Various.
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:30:33 GMT
VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
l. Other
Source: Various
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:28:56 GMT
VE04 What types of voter education activities were carried out at the most recent national elections?
a. Poster/ Billboard campaigns
b. Media advertisement
c. Simulation exercises
d. Music and theater
e. Public meetings
f. Mail-outs
Comments: Various objects and methods are avaliable for viewing at the FCW Resource Center.
Source: F. Clinton White Resource Center at the International Foundation for Election Systems.
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:31:52 GMT
Voting Operations
VO02 Is there a code of conduct for election officials?
a. Yes
Source: F. Clinton White Resource Center at the International Foundation for Election Systems
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:44:10 GMT
VO03 Where can electors vote?
f. By mail
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:45:30 GMT
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
b. Citizens residing outside the country
c. Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)
d. Members of the armed forces
e. Students
f. Diplomatic staff
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:46:03 GMT
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18
Comments: "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age."
Source: The 26th Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Last updated: Tue, 29 May 2001 13:00:28 GMT
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
b. Period of Residence
Comments: State law demands that each state is unique. For example, in the some states, an alien may vote should the State allow it.
Source: Various State Laws.
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:08:57 GMT
VR03 What restrictions on registering to vote and voting exist in the country?
a. Criminal Incarceration
d. Mental disability
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:10:22 GMT
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
e. Other
Comments: States are requried to: "...maintain for at least two years and to make available for public inspection all records concrning the implementation if programs and activities conducted for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and currency of official lists of eligilble voters, except to the extent that such records relate to a declination to register to vote or to the identity of a voter registration agency through which any particular person is registered..."
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:12:30 GMT
VR05 What is the registration method for national elections?
b. Voters register
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:13:26 GMT
VR06 How frequently is the voters register updated?
a. Continuously
Source: The Federal Election Commission online (www.fec.gov)
Last updated: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 15:19:29 GMT
20/05/2008 07:20
