When are the U.S. elections held? Candidates, rules, votes

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The U.S. presidential elections in 2024 are coming in large steps, and American citizens will one more time decide on their country's future leaders. We explain erstwhile the U.S. elections are held. We besides supply the most crucial information about this year's elections, including who competes, why the vote takes place in the autumn, what are the rules and what the voting process looks like.

Who's moving for election 2024?

The main candidates for the office of president in 2024 are well-known figures of American politics. On behalf of the Democratic Party, he competes Kamala Harris, current vice president of the United States. On the Republican side, the erstwhile president applies for re-election Donald Trumpwho tries to return to the White home after his defeat in 2020.

In addition to the main players, the election cards will besides include representatives of smaller parties. Jill Stein, who had previously competed for the Green Party, is one more time fighting to support green voters, and pursuit Oliver represents the Libertarians, focusing on topics specified as individual freedom and limiting the function of government

Why are the elections held in the fall? Elections in the USA

The U.S. elections are traditionally held in autumn, specifically on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. This date was set in the 19th century and was due to applicable reasons. This day was chosen not to interfere with the fair days, usually held on Wednesday, and with the holy day on Sunday.

November was besides a favourable period as farmers finished harvesting, allowing greater attendance. Although much has changed since then, tradition persists until today, and this year's elections will be held on 5 November 2024.

Voting Rules in Presidential Elections

The U.S. presidential election is organised on an indirect basis. Citizens cast their votes for the alleged electors, who then elect the president. This strategy is known as the Elector College. Each state has a certain number of electors, depending on its population. To win the election, the candidate must win a majority of 538 electorate votes, which is simply a minimum of 270.

Voting takes place in various forms. Citizens may cast their votes in individual on the day of the election, usage an earlier vote or send a vote by correspondence. An earlier vote starts in September in any states, allowing queues to unload on election day and increase attendance. In turn, the correspondence vote, which gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, is inactive of large interest.

Voting process

Counting votes in presidential elections is simply a complicated process that requires advanced precision and accountability. erstwhile the polling stations are closed, immediate counting of votes begins in each state. The results shall be collected locally and sent to central commissions in each state where they are verified and validated.

Each state shall have its rules on the counting of votes, including correspondence and erstwhile votes. any states let the counting of votes sent by post even days after the election, if they were given before the day of the vote.

As a consequence of the Elector College system, votes are yet converted into the number of electors assigned to each state. Most states apply the "winner takes all" principle, which means that the candidatewho gets the most votes in the state, wins all electorate votes in the state. However, there are exceptions, specified as Maine and Nebraska, where the votes can be divided proportionally.

Key states – U.S. elections

In the U.S. presidential election of 2024, attention focuses on respective key states. They can decide the final outcome. These states are called "swing states" or "battleground states" due to their unstable electoral preferences that can change from election to election. This year, 7 states are considered the most important:

Arizona
Georgia
Michigan
Nevada
Pennsylvania
North Carolina
Wisconsin

Each of these states plays a key role, as in erstwhile elections the results in them were very balanced, and the differences were frequently only a fewer percent. In 2020, many of these states turned to the Democratic side after years of support for Republicans, making them even more unpredictable and strategically crucial in this year's elections.

Why are these states crucial?

Key states decide on election results mainly due to the Elector College system, where each state has an assigned number of electorate votes. Candidates, as we wrote earlier, must win at least 270 electorate votes. Winning states with a large number of electors (like Pennsylvania and Michigan) can be decisive. due to the fact that these states have no clear political affiliation. The campaigns of both candidates focus on them, investing the most resources on advertising and election events there.

Results past – U.S. elections

In 2020, Joe Biden won in many of those states that in 2016 supported Donald Trump, leading to his win in the election. States specified as Georgia and Arizona, traditionally supporting Republicans, unexpectedly switched to the Democratic side, which was a crucial success for Biden. In 2024, the same states are again the arena of intense combat, with poll results indicating a level playing field between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Elections in key states can so decide on the future president of the United States, and tiny differences in the number of votes cast for candidates can yet tip the scales of victory.

The largest Scandals in Presidential Election past in the United States

The U.S. presidential election has frequently been a scandal arena that has permanently entered politics history. Here are any of the loudest cases:

1. Watergate affair (1972)

One of the most celebrated scandals in U.S. past was the Watergate affair. It began by breaking into the Democratic organization office in the Watergate complex. Although the scandal itself did not straight affect the 1972 election outcome, it yet led to president Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974. The break-in was aimed at obtaining information about political opponents, and its cover-up exposed a vast network of abuses of power.

2. Bush vs. Gore and Hanging Chads (2000)

The 2000 presidential election went back to past due to uncertainty about the vote counting in Florida. The problem with ballot cards (the alleged "hanging chads") and unclear results led to the intervention of the ultimate Court, which yet awarded triumph to George W. Bush. This scandal undermined assurance in the electoral strategy and sparked discussions on the transparency of the voting process.

3. Russian Intervention in Election (2016)

The 2016 election was dominated by allegations of Russian interference. According to reports, Russian entities conducted disinformation campaigns and attempted to break into electoral systems to influence the result of the vote. Although Donald Trump denied that any action had taken place in his favor, this scandal became the origin of legislature and the FBI investigations and accusations of collusion with Russia.

4. "October Surprise" — Iran-Contra (1980)

The word "October Surprise" refers to the alleged actions of Ronald Reagan's electoral staff. Actions were intended to hold the release of US hostages in Iran until after the 1980 election. Although the charges have never been full proven, this scandal has provoked much controversy. The release of the hostages occurred just after Reagan's swearing in, resulting in speculation about erstwhile arrangements with Iran.

5. "Access Hollywood" and Trump (2016)

During the 2016 election campaign, there was a 2005 recording. Donald Trump spoke abusively and offensively about women. The “Access Hollywood” scandal threatened his candidacy, but Trump apologized and continued the campaign. Although many thought the recording would blow his chances, Trump yet won the election.

Read also: He was the 1 who wanted to shoot Donald Trump.