Info
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
a . Head of State is the Head of Government d . Indirectly elected by legislature e . Elected by electoral college or committee
Comments: The President is not elected directly by citizens, they are chosen by electors through a process called the "Electoral College." The Electoral College is not always required to elect the same candidate who won the popular vote in any state. A candidates must win over half of the electors (at least 270) to win.
If no candidate wins 270 electoral votes, the House of Representatives chooses the president among the top three candidates; the Senate then chooses the vice president from the remaining two candidates. When choosing the president in the House of Representatives, each state gets a single vote.
Source: Article II, Section 1, United States Constitution ;
National Archives: Electoral College:
https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/faq#no270 ;
https://www.usa.gov/election
Verified: 2024/09/30
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
h . Not applicable
Comments: The President (Executive) is the Head of State and Head of Government.
Source: U.S. Constitution, Art. II:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/US/united-states-of-america-constitution-1992/view
Verified: 2024/09/30
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Article II, Section 1, United States Constitution
Verified: 2024/09/30
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The Senate (upper) and the House of Representatives (lower).
Source: U.S. Constitution, Art. I:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/US/united-states-of-america-constitution-1992/view ;
https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government
Verified: 2024/09/30
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP) b . Alternative Vote c . Block Vote
Comments: Senators serve six-year terms, one/third of seats are up for election every two years (coincide with mid-term elections and general elections). As of 1913, Senators are directly elected by popular vote.
Each state can choose how to structure the electoral system.
Source: U.S. Constitution, Amendment 17:
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/US/united-states-of-america-constitution-1992/view ;
https://www.usa.gov/midterm-state-and-local-elections ;
National Conference of State Legislatures:
https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/the-rise-of-ranked-choice-voting.aspx ;
https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/ranked-choice-voting.aspx ;
Verified: 2024/09/30
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Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
