Voting is the key to democracy and it empowers citizens to select leaders. It also allows people to hold leaders accountable for their actions and decisions. In addition, elections encourage wide public discussion of issues that affect voters’ lives and allow citizens to express their approval or disapproval of the acts of those in power.
Elections have a long history and were used in ancient Athens and Rome, as well as in the selection of popes and Holy Roman Emperors. However, the modern concept of elections emerged in Europe and North America in the 1600s as representative government took hold. This meant that governing institutions, such as parliaments and the monarchy, were no longer seen as representing estates, corporations, and vested interests but rather as standing for real people.
In the United States, elections are based on first past the post with each voter casting two votes on separate ballots: one for their constituency representative and the other for a party list member (if there is one). Candidates with the most first preference votes win seats. Those who do not make the required quota are eliminated and their surplus votes are transferred to second preference votes. This process continues until all the seats are filled.
The Electoral College meets after each presidential election to count and certify the electoral votes. The winner of the majority of electoral votes becomes president. The process is overseen by the presiding officer of Congress and a secretary of state. In the US, each state is allocated a number of electoral votes equal to its number of House and Senate seats plus three for Washington DC.
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