About Elections
Elections are organized processes for choosing officials or deciding public questions. Good election systems require clear rules, eligible voters, secure administration, transparent counting, and ways to resolve disputes.
Voters
Election laws define who is eligible to vote.
Learn MoreCandidates
Candidates compete for public office.
Learn MoreCampaigns
Campaigns try to persuade voters.
Learn MoreBallots
Ballots record voter choices.
Learn MoreVoting Systems
Different systems can produce different outcomes from the same votes.
Learn MoreDistricts
Many elections divide territory into electoral districts.
Learn MoreCounting and Certification
Election officials count votes and verify results under established procedures.
Learn MorePeaceful Transfer
A peaceful transfer of power is a key democratic norm.
Learn MoreVoters
Age, citizenship, residency, registration, and other rules differ by jurisdiction.
Candidates
They may be nominated through political parties, primaries, conventions, petitions, or independent processes.
Campaigns
Speeches, debates, advertising, volunteers, policy platforms, media coverage, and direct contact are common tools.
Ballots
Paper ballots, optical scanners, electronic systems, mail voting, and in-person voting are used in different combinations.
Voting Systems
Plurality, majority runoff, ranked-choice, party-list proportional representation, and mixed systems each translate votes into offices differently.
Districts
District boundaries affect representation, so redistricting can become politically important.
Counting and Certification
Audits, recounts, observers, chain-of-custody rules, and court review can help resolve close or disputed results.
Peaceful Transfer
When winners take office through constitutional procedures and losers accept lawful results or challenges, political competition can continue without violence.