U.S. election

U.S. election

General elections held every four years to elect the President and Vice President of the United States. These are indirect elections in that ordinary voters cast ballots for a slate of electors of the U.S. Electoral College, who in turn directly elect the President and Vice President.

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U.S. election

Super Tuesday

Government; U.S. election

Refers to a critical date in the campaign calendar - usually in early March - when a large number of states hold primary elections. The hope was that by holding their votes on the same day, states ...

Citizens United

Government; U.S. election

A 2010 Supreme Court ruling that overturned aspects of the McCain-Feingold Act on the use of corporate and union money in elections. In a controversial 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that ...

Buckley vs Valeo

Government; U.S. election

The 1976 Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited spending by individuals or groups who are not standing for election themselves but who wish to support particular candidates. The provision does ...

Vice president

Government; U.S. election

The vice-president's primary duty is to succeed to the presidency in the event of the resignation, removal or death of the incumbent president. The vice-president's only other constitutional ...

Speaker of the House

Government; U.S. election

The House Speaker is the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives (not to be confused with the House Majority Leader). He or she has a dual role as both the leader of his or her ...

Bill of Rights

Government; U.S. election

The first 10 amendments of the US constitution establishing the fundamental rights of individual citizens. The amendments limit the powers of federal and state governments. Acts of Congress or laws ...

Democratic Donkey

Government; U.S. election

The donkey is the unofficial political symbol for the Democratic Party. Democratic Party historians say the symbol was first used during Andrew Jackson's presidential campaign in 1828.