2024 Election Information Guide

What is the Process for Electing a New President? 

Every four years, an Election takes place in the United States for a New President. Typically, there is a two year cycle that leads up to their Inauguration. This is what the cycle usually consists of: 

• Spring of the year before an election: Candidates register with the Federal Election Commission to run for president and then announce their intentions to run. 
• Summer of the year before an election through spring of the election year: This is when the primary and caucus debates take place. 
• January to June of election year: This is when the States and the parties hold presidential primaries and caucuses.
• July to early September: Nominating Conventions are held by parties to chose their presidential candidate. This is also when presidential candidates announce their choice of vice president.
• September and October: Presidential candidates participate in debates against each other. Early Voting for American Citizens also begins in October. 
• Early November: Election day is on the first Tuesday after the first Monday. The voting period comes to an end after Election Day and the votes are tallied. 
• December: The Electoral College votes for President. 
• January: Inauguration day is January 20th, when the new President gets initiated into the White House. 

What are the Types of State and Local Elections? 

Unlike the Presidential Election, State and Local Elections can take place in year at various times. Many states and local governments are generally organized similarly to that of the US government, consisting of legislature, executive, and judicial officials. However, what you vote on depends entirely on your state, county, or city. 

You can check on elections coming up in your area with the link below.

• State and Local Elections (opens in new window)

When you vote in a state local or election, these are positions you may vote for:

• Legislative officials who make state/local laws, such as:
  • State Legislative representatives
  • County Council members
• Executive officials who enforce laws and policies made by the legislative officials, such as:
  • State Governors
  • County Executives
  • City Mayors
• Judicial officials, such as:
  • Local and state judges

What is the Electoral College? 

The electoral college is an important part of the US Presidential Election. While other US elections are decided by the popular vote, the Presidential Election is decided by the Electoral College. The Electoral College is not a place, but rather a process that is a compromise between the popular vote by citizens and a vote in congress. 

The Electoral College process consists of three parts:

• Electors are selected
• Electors then cast votes for who will be President and Vice President
• Congress counts the votes and the winner is announced

Who is part of the Electoral College? 

The Electoral college consists of electors, who are selected by political parties. Each state has a different number of electors that is based on the number of U.S Senators and Representatives that that state has in Congress. North Carolina has 16 electors because we have two members in the Senate and 14 members in the HOR. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors from all states.

How does the President win from the Electoral College? 

In order to win the election, a Presidential candidate need 270 electoral college votes. This is more than half of the electors. 

If it is the Electoral College that makes the final decision, does my vote matter? 

Yes!! Your vote does matter because it tells your state which candidate you want your state electors to vote for. The state uses the popular vote to chose and appoint their electors. The candidate that got the most votes from that state gets to have their state political party pick the electors for that state.