The American presidential election system, unlike many other election systems today, leaves questions in mind with its rather complex structure. Elements such as delegate selection, general popular vote, the Electoral College and the importance of contested states make it difficult to understand and interpret this election system. This article will discuss the basic dynamics of the American election system and the explanations of certain terms frequently used during the election period.
American elections are held on the first Tuesday in November, a date set by the constitution. The election process is an extensive journey that usually begins exactly one year before Election Day. During this time, candidates from the two main political parties (Democrats and Republicans) announce their candidacies, form campaign teams, and travel throughout the country. They begin to gain momentum and gather the necessary public and financial support through rallies and fundraisers.[i]
As campaigns gain traction, candidates participate in televised debates. These debates provide a platform for candidates to present their policies, answer tough questions, and defend their positions on key issues. The Biden-Trump, Harris-Trump, and Vance-Walz debates have all occurred this year and have garnered widespread attention from voters. Biden’s withdrawal from the debate underscores the importance of these sessions, where candidates have the opportunity to express themselves, to their campaigns. It is crucial for candidates to showcase their platforms and leadership skills to the public in order to build a broad base of support and differentiate themselves from other candidates in their party.
The election process officially begins with the primary and caucus season. These early voting events allow each party to narrow down its candidates to a single candidate who will represent the party in the general election. Primaries and caucuses typically begin in February across the country, with states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina receiving significant attention. These early states play a significant role in shaping the field, as their results often indicate which candidates have the potential to garner broader national support. In caucuses, party members hold debates and rounds of voting to select their candidates. In primaries, party members vote directly for their preferred candidates. These processes result in the election of delegates who pledge to support specific candidates at national conventions.
Each party holds a national convention where delegates formally nominate their presidential candidates. During this convention, the chosen candidate announces their vice presidential candidate. Once the nomination process is complete, candidates begin extensive campaigns to gain popular support leading up to the general election. On Election Day in November, voters cast their votes for a president and vice president. This vote is based on voters choosing electors to represent their preferences in the Electoral College. Each state awards its electoral votes based on a majority of the popular vote in that state; Maine and Nebraska may split their electoral votes proportionally.
In addition to the popular vote, the Electoral College is the cornerstone of the system that is responsible for electing the president. It consists of representatives determined by the votes of each state. Since it is elected based on population, states with higher populations have more representatives. A candidate must receive a half-majority of the Electoral College to be elected president.
Electors cast their votes not during the election, but within a month following the election. For this reason, the official status of the president is not finalized on Election Day. The most recent example of this is the official appointment of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in December, after they won the US General Election on November 3, 2020. However, the president does not take office until the oath of office in January. This means that the president will take office within two months of Election Day.
If we examine it on a state basis, the candidate who wins in a state gets all the delegates in the state. In this winner-take-all system, a candidate who wins with 51% gets all the delegates and the other candidate does not get any delegates even if they get 49%.[ii] This is how Donald Trump, who was behind in the popular vote in the 2016 elections, won the election with delegates she received from contested states.
One of the biggest questions about American elections is how citizens vote. In addition to voting at traditional polling stations, there are many different methods of voting. Many states have developed alternative methods for citizens who cannot go to polling stations on election day or who want to vote outside of the election period. Citizens can send their votes by mail or vote early during periods allowed by their state. Early voting, which is preferred over voting at polling stations, is quite common among citizens. In particular, the posts of citizens who vote electronically via social media or by mail have been observed since October. In addition to those who question the reliability of these voting methods, there are also those who find them useful. Some citizens consider the right to vote in advance rather than on a single election day in terms of participation in the election and democracy.
“Swing States” or “Battleground States” are key issues in elections. These are states that are swinging between the Democratic and Republican parties and whose outcome is unpredictable. The president needs to win at least 270 of the 538-member Electoral College, so he needs to win additional votes in addition to the states he has already won. In 2024, these contested states are North Carolina, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia and Pennsylvania.[iii] Particularly, the Muslim immigrants living in North Carolina, due to their closeness to Israel, may vote for a third candidate who is less likely to win in order to avoid voting for either candidate, which is a potential risk for the Democratic Party that has already won the state. The fact that states with a significant majority in the number of caucuses are contested causes uncertainty in the election result. The uncertainty of the poll results and the fact that they are often based only on the general popular vote often lead to errors, as in the 2016 and 2020 elections. In the 2020 elections, Joe Biden won Georgia and Pennsylvania and secured his presidency with the caucus votes he obtained.
Because contested states are key for both presidential candidates, they are often the focus of candidates’ late-term rallies and campaigns. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s assassination in Pennsylvania and his attempt to underestimate his opponents by driving a garbage truck to Wisconsin are notable examples.
The American presidential election system is notable for its complex structure and numerous variables. The Electoral College, popular vote, and the importance of contested states are elements that make this system difficult to understand. The efforts of candidates throughout their campaigns, from the primaries to the general election, play a critical role for both their own parties and the general public.
[i] “Summary of the U.S. presidential election process”, U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, https://kz.usembassy.gov/summary-of-the-u-s-presidential-election-process/, (Date of Access: 01.11.2024).
[ii] “ABD’de başkanlık seçim süreci nasıl ilerliyor?”, Anadolu Ajansı, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/abd-baskanlik-secimleri-2024/abdde-baskanlik-secim-sureci-nasil-ilerliyor/3378953, (Date of Access: 01.11.2024).
[iii] “New presidential election polls released in Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina”, USA.Today, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/10/31/presidential-election-polls-pennsylvania-michigan-nc/75964694007/, (Date of Access: 01.11.2024).
