Embassy of the United States

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• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the Electoral College?
   
  According to the Constitution, presidents are elected by the Electoral College, composed of electors from each state who represent the will of their state’s voters. Each state’s group of electors is equal in number to its Congressional representation. Typically all of a state’s electors cast their votes for the candidate who won a plurality of votes in their state. A candidate must receive at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win.
   
  - More information: The Electoral College
   

• What are primaries and caucuses?
   
  A primary is a state-level election where voters affiliated with political parties choose candidates to represent their parties in the general election.
  A caucus is a local-level meeting of registered party members to determine support for a candidate. The results of these meetings are combined on a statewide basis to determine a state’s party nominee.
   
  - More information: Early Primaries and Caucuses Shape Presidential Hopefuls' Odds
   

• Why are there two parties?
   
   
  The Constitution makes no provision for political parties. They developed on their own as the country grew, and by the 1830s were an established part of the political environment. Today, the Republicans and Democrats are the two main political parties. They have dominated American politics since the 1860s, and every president since 1852 has been one or the other.
   
  - More information: Political Parties in the United States
   

• What's new in voting technology?
   
  Following problems with the 2000 elections, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), providing funds for states to modernize voting systems and calling for minimum standards in elections administration. This is important since all U.S. elections, even presidential elections, are administered locally. Many states have already implemented these new standards, and more changes are expected for 2008.
   
  - More information: New Tools Encourage Americans To Exercise Right to Vote

• Types of Elections
  -What types of elections are held in the United States?
  -What are midterm elections?
  -What is a convention?
  -What is a caucus?

• Requirements for Voting, Running for Office
  -Who can vote?
  -What are the requirements for running for elected office in the United States?

• Scheduling elections
  -When are general elections held?
  -When are primary elections held?

• Electoral college
  -What is the Electoral College?
  -How does the Electoral College elect the president?
  -For which races is the Electoral College used?

• Other questions
  -Why is voter turnout sometimes low in the United States?
  -What are the symbols of the U.S. political parties?
  -Do organizations tell people how to vote?
  -What does it mean when a union or newspaper "endorses" a candidate?