In the United States, elections are at the heart of how the government functions and how laws are shaped. From local school boards to the highest office in the land, the ability to vote gives citizens a direct voice in their leadership and policies. Understanding how elections work, what it means to vote, and what rights and responsibilities are given to the government and its people are important parts of being a good citizen in America.
What Is a Democracy?
A democracy is a government system in which citizens have the power to make decisions directly or through elected representatives, giving them an influence over policy-making.
- What Is Democracy? Learn what democracy really means and read about the gap that exists between the ideal and actual practice of democracy.
- Different Types of Democracy and Their Characteristics: This page explores different types of democracies that have been established around the world.
- Foundations of the American Republic: Read this article to learn about the process that led up to the establishment of our government.
- Why Democracy? The concept of democracy dates back to ancient times.
What Is an Election?
An election is a process in which citizens can choose people to represent them in the government or decide on whether specific policies or laws will be enacted.
- The Role of Elections in Democracies: Discover how elections can function within a democracy and how they can be established in new democracies.
- Tips to Help Your Child Understand Elections: This page outlines the voting process in a way that's accessible for younger audiences.
- Everything You Need to Know About U.S. Elections in Infographics: Check out a few infographics that detail how elections are held, including facts about the Electoral College.
- What Do You Know About the U.S. Government? After learning about the U.S. government and elections, take this quiz to assess your retention.
What Is Voting, and Where Can You Register to Vote?
Voting is a fundamental right in the United States that allows citizens to choose who will govern them. Elections are operated on the state level, with each state setting its own rules for how people register to vote and where and how they can cast their ballots.
- Election Crimes, Rules, and Penalties: Strict rules exist to ensure that elections are conducted freely and fairly.
- Electing a President: This lesson details how American presidents are elected every four years.
- Voting Systems: Election practices can vary from place to place, with different systems establishing different ways to determine a winner.
- State-Specific Voting Requirements: Each state runs its own elections, so there are voting laws and requirements unique to each state.
What Are the Political Parties?
The United States has a wide range of political parties, with the Democratic and Republican parties being the largest.
- Elections and the American Political System: Learn more about political parties of the past and present and what they believed.
- Feel Like You Don't Fit in Either Major Party? Here's Why: NPR reports on research showing that American political beliefs often don't fit nearly into one of two boxes.
- Political Party Fundraising: Examine the fundraising efforts of major political parties across different election cycles.
- Major American Political Parties of the 19th Century: The U.S. has had a variety of different political parties, with some sticking around for many years and others lasting only an election or two.
What Is the Electoral College?
The Electoral College consists of representatives elected by the public to vote on who will be the next president. The number of electors each state receives is based on how many members of Congress each state has.
- The Electoral College Explained: This page provides detailed information on how the Electoral College works and the problems with how it works today.
- About Electors: Learn about the individuals who serve as electors in the Electoral College.
- How the Electoral College Works: Gain an unbiased insight into how this complex system works and its implications.
- Why Was the Electoral College Created? The Electoral College was created as a compromise solution to a thorny political issue.
What Are the Branches of the U.S. Government?
The U.S. federal government consists of three branches: legislative, judicial, and executive. This division of power creates a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful.
- Three Branches of Government: Explore the functions, powers, and restrictions of each of the three branches of the federal government.
- The Legislative Branch: The legislative branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- The Checks and Balances System: The three branches of government were set up to balance each other so that none of them would have unchecked power.
- Understanding the Federal Courts: Learn about the U.S. judicial system and how it works on this page.
- The Executive Branch: Here's everything you need to know about the branch that carries out and enforces laws.
What Powers Does the President Have?
The president holds significant authority, including the ability to veto legislation and make executive decisions independently of Congress.
- Presidential Powers: Gain insights into the essential powers granted to the U.S. president here.
- Legal Aspects of Executive Power: Explore the constitutional basis for executive powers and their legal implications.
- Constitutional Presidential Powers: This analysis examines the scope and constraints of presidential authority as defined by the U.S. Constitution.
- The Evolution of the Presidency: Read about the evolution of presidential powers and their relevance in contemporary governance.
What Is the U.S. Constitution?
The United States Constitution is the foundational document outlining the structure and function of the federal government. It establishes essential rules and regulations that guide all government decisions.
- The Constitution Annotated: Dive into an annotated version of the Constitution for a clearer understanding of its more complex sections.
- Guide to the U.S. Constitution: Discover the different sections of the Constitution and their significance on this informative page.
- The Constitution for Kids: This resource is a fantastic introduction for children to learn about the Constitution.
- A History of the Constitution: Learn about what came before the Constitution and how it became the supreme law of the land.
- Fascinating Facts About the U.S. Constitution: Did you know that Thomas Jefferson didn't sign the U.S. Constitution? Learn about this and other facts here.
What Is the Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which establish fundamental rights for everyone in the United States
- A Short History of Human Rights: The concept that people have certain rights just because they are human beings is actually fairly recent.
- A Brief Overview of the Bill of Rights: Find a short summary of what each amendment says and links to the full text on this page.
- The Bill of Rights in Simple Language: Read a clear breakdown of the Bill of Rights in straightforward language.
- The United States Bill of Rights: Explore the full text of the U.S. Bill of Rights.
- The Bill of Rights and its Purpose and Benefits: This essay explores what led up to the writing of the Bill of Rights and the rights it protects.
