US Presidential Election explained (explainity® explainer video)

Summary

The video explains the process of the U.S. presidential election, from primaries to the general election. It begins with each party choosing a candidate through state-specific primaries where delegates are awarded based on votes. These delegates later select the candidate at national conventions. In the general election, voters indirectly elect the president through electors, who represent each state. Most states use a 'winner-takes-all' system, making swing states crucial. The Electoral College officially votes for the president, with the result confirmed by Congress in January, followed by the inauguration on January 20th.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ The U.S. presidential election occurs every four years, determining whether a Democrat or Republican will occupy the White House.
• 🔄 The election year begins with the primaries, where each party selects its presidential candidate through voting.
• 📋 Primaries vary by state; some allow all registered voters to participate, while others limit voting to registered party members.
• 🗓️ Super Tuesday is a key date when multiple states hold their primaries simultaneously, making it a pivotal moment in the race.
• 👥 Voters in the primaries are actually electing delegates who will support a candidate at the national convention.
• 🏛️ A candidate needs more than half of the delegates' votes at the national convention to secure their party's nomination.
• 🤝 If no candidate secures a majority of delegate votes, the party renegotiates, and delegates may vote for other candidates.
• 🗳️ The general election takes place in November, but voters do not directly elect the president; they elect electors who then vote for the candidate.
• 🌍 Each state is awarded a different number of electors based on population, with 48 out of 50 states using a winner-take-all system.
• 📅 After the general election, electors formally vote for the president, and the result is confirmed in Congress before inauguration on January 20.

Q & A

How often does the United States hold a presidential election?

The United States holds a presidential election every four years.

What is the purpose of the primaries in the election process?

The primaries are used to decide who will be the presidential candidate for each party, the Democrats and the Republicans.

Are all registered voters allowed to vote in the primaries?

The eligibility to vote in the primaries varies from state to state. Some states allow every registered voter, while others restrict it to voters registered with a particular party.

What is 'Super Tuesday' in the context of the primaries?

Super Tuesday is a cluster primary date when multiple states hold their primaries simultaneously.

How are delegates chosen in the primaries?

Delegates are technically elected by the voters and then support a certain candidate in the primary. Each candidate is awarded a certain amount of delegates based on the votes they receive.

What happens at the national convention in relation to the presidential candidates?

At the national convention, delegates officially vote for their candidates. A candidate must receive over half of the delegate votes to win the party's nomination.

What occurs if no candidate receives a majority of the delegate votes at the convention?

If no candidate receives a majority, the party renegotiates its entries into the presidential race until a candidate is found.

When is the general election held in the United States?

The general election is held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

How does the electoral vote system work in the United States?

The electoral vote system involves electors who are awarded to each candidate based on the vote tally. Each state has a different number of electors depending on its population.

What is the 'winner takes all' principle in the electoral vote system?

In 48 of the 50 states, the 'winner takes all' principle means that the winner of the state's popular vote gets all the electoral votes for that state.

What is the significance of swing states in the election?

Swing states are states where both parties have an equally high chance of winning. They are significant because the electoral votes from these states can greatly influence the outcome of the election.

How is the president officially elected?

The president is officially elected by the electoral college, which is the body made up of the awarded electors. They vote in their states, and these votes are counted in Congress.

When does the inauguration of the new president take place?

The inauguration of the next president takes place on January 20th.