Like clockwork, Americans gird for their presidential elections every four years, an impressive undertaking that combines time-honored traditions with contemporary nuances. The 2024 presidential election is the 60th presidential race since the nation’s founding in 1788. Subsequently, the U.S. has elected its president in the prescribed time without fail, a custom that has weathered time and occasional turbulence, and has given the rest of the free world an enduring gold standard in the democratic transfer of power.
Decentralized System
One curious fact is that while most countries have centralized electoral systems, the U.S. election infrastructure is a vast network of over 10,000 jurisdictions. State and local authorities are autonomous, setting their own rules, processes, and technological solutions. One may indeed wonder how this fragmented approach can even work, but an army of 800,000 poll workers ensure that millions of votes are cast and counted accurately across these jurisdictions.
Electoral College
Winning the White House requires navigating the byzantine terrain of the Electoral College, another feature unique to the U.S. With 538 electoral votes up for grabs, candidates must secure at least 270 to win. While most states are “winner-takes-all,” Maine and Nebraska are outliers, using the Congressional District Method that distributes their votes proportionally, which add more layers of complexity and unpredictability to the race.
Key Dates
The U.S. election is governed by important dates, as follows:
· Election Day: The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, an unbroken tradition since 1845.
· State Certification: Within a week to a month post-election, states finalize their results.
· Electoral College: On the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, electors cast their votes.
· Congress Certification: January 6 sees Congress officially count and certify the electoral votes.
· Inauguration Day: January 20 marks the swearing-in of the new president, ushering in the next chapter of leadership.
Ballots
American voters today have a variety of options at the polling booths:
• Hand-Marked Paper Ballots: About 70% of voters still opt to use these ballots that blend tradition with tangible verification.
• Ballot Marking Devices (BMDs): Used by about 25% of voters, BMDs offer a digital edge to the voting process.
• Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) Systems: Accounting for 5%, these systems streamline vote recording, processed primarily through optical scanners for efficiency and accuracy.
Turnout
Voter participation has been on an upswing, peaking at a 66% turnout in 2020—the highest since 1980. With some 246 million voting-age citizens, the electoral landscape is dynamic, especially with more and more states enabling same-day registration, lowering barriers and empowering the electorate.
The U.S. election process is an interesting interplay of historical precedence and adaptive innovation. Rooted deeply in the nation's democratic ideals, it remains innovative enough to meet the evolving needs of its citizens. As technology advances and societal values shift, the American electoral system remains a testament to the indomitable spirit of the United States.