Elections
Local
The base level of government office is at the local level. Generally, this refers to the elections of a town, county, or other municipality. People elected to these offices have authority over their municipality, and that’s it. It’s up to each town to decide which offices are elected, but common ones include the sheriff, city council members, the mayor, and members of the school board. Local representatives are selected by a process of direct election. This simply means that the candidate with the most votes wins.
State
Next are state government positions. These are important jobs with lots of power, as the United States Constitution grants any power not expressly given to the federal government to be under the authority of state governments.
Currently, every state in the USA directly elects its governor (the head of the state executive branch) as well as the representatives to the state legislature. In some states, members of the state judicial branch are elected, but generally these positions are appointed by the governor or legislature. Most other positions within the state government are appointed ones, so voters need to elect legislators and governors who will make wise appointments and fill the government with credible officials.
Federal
Finally, we get to the national elections, those in which all citizens of the nation can vote. Realistically, there’s only one national election that we need to talk about: the presidency. The President is the leader of the executive branch of the federal government and the highest elected office in the nation.
2020 Election Rundown
The 2020 Presidential election and the big events leading up to it are fast approaching. It is once again time for Americans to catch up on political issues so we can effectively engage in the...
“My One Little Vote Won’t Make a Difference.”
This is the most common excuse people have for not voting. However, history has proven this excuse incorrect. In 1890, by a one-vote margin, Idaho became a state, without that one vote we might only...
I.N.D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.T
Are you affiliated with the Republican or Democratic party? Neither? Are you among the 40% who consider themselves an independent or nonpartisan political party? An independent...
The Importance of Third Parties and Their Voters
Finding a candidate that is in line with your views can be difficult when you feel as though you only have two options. Where else in our lives have we been pigeonholed into only two options? Not...
Trump Discusses the Possibility of Buying Greenland
President Trump has been known to shock people with his political style and policies. His latest surprising political play is his venture to purchase the country Greenland. Greenland is one of the...
Presidential Race Dropout
The Democratic candidate pool for the 2020 presidential election recently shrunk by one. Washington governor Jay Inslee dropped out of the race. Although Inslee seemed like a promising candidate,...
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