US election: Polling date, result timings in India, all you need to know

Get ready as the US heads to the polls! Discover the polling date, expected result timings in India, and essential details you need to stay updated on this pivotal election.

The US presidential election, held every four years, is a multi-stage process designed to balance popular votes with the unique Electoral College system. With the next election scheduled for November 5, 2024, let’s break down the stages, from party primaries to the official inauguration.

The US presidential election is a unique blend of popular voting and the Electoral College system. While citizens cast their votes for a candidate, they are technically voting for electors pledged to that candidate. By January 6, Congress certifies the electoral results, and on January 20, the president takes office, culminating in this intricate process designed to balance diverse state and population interests across the country.

KEY STAGES FOR THE US ELECTIONS TIMELINE

The process unfolds in distinct stages, each with its own purpose and rules, including primary elections, a nationwide general election campaign, and the Electoral College vote.

Primary elections and party nominations

Candidate Selection Process: Political parties hold internal contests, known as primaries and caucuses, across all states to determine their presidential nominees. Primaries are typically secret ballot elections, while caucuses involve public gatherings where participants discuss and vote.

Delegates and National Conventions: Candidates earn delegates based on their performance in these primaries and caucuses. The candidate with the most delegates is officially nominated at the party’s national convention, marking the start of the general election campaign.

The general election campaign

Campaigning nationwide: Once the nominees are selected, Democratic and Republican candidates, along with any major independent candidates, embark on a campaign across the country.

Debates and rallies: Public events, including televised debates and rallies, allow candidates to outline their positions and connect with voters.

Election day: US citizens vote on the first Tuesday of November. For 2024, Election Day is November 5.

The Electoral College system

An Indirect Election Process: Unlike a direct national popular vote, the United States elects its president through the Electoral College, a system established by the Constitution.

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to win the presidency.

How Electoral Votes Are Assigned: Each state receives many electoral votes equal to its total Congressional representation: the sum of its House representatives (determined by population) and two senators. For example, California, the most populous state, has 54 electoral votes, while less populous states like Wyoming have a minimum of three.

Allocation of electoral votes

Winner-Takes-All: In 48 states, the candidate with the majority of votes in that state receives all of its electoral votes.

The final steps of the presidential election

Electoral college voting in December: Electors meet in their respective states to cast their official votes for president and vice president.

Congress counts votes in January: On January 6, Congress convenes to count and certify the electoral votes, officially confirming the winner.

Inauguration day: The president-elect is sworn into office on January 20.

KEY FEATURES OF THE US ELECTIONS SYSTEM

• States with unpredictable outcomes, known as battlegrounds or swing states, are critical in the election. Candidates often focus on these states due to their potential to sway the overall result.
• In the US, a candidate can win the presidency without winning the national popular vote. This has occurred five times, including in 2016.
• Unlike many nations, the US does not have a central election authority. Instead, each state manages its elections, setting unique rules for voter eligibility, ballot design, and counting.

HOW ELECTORAL VOTES ARE DISTRIBUTED AND THE IMPACT OF POPULATION

Population-Based Allocation: The distribution of electoral votes is adjusted after each Census. Currently, the allocation reflects the 2020 Census data.

Overrepresentation and Underrepresentation: Smaller states are overrepresented per capita, with each electoral vote representing fewer people compared to larger states. For example:

• Wyoming: Each electoral vote represents about 195,000 residents.
• California: Each electoral vote represents over 700,000 residents.

Washington, D.C.: Although not a state, Washington, D.C., has three electoral votes, as granted by the 23rd Amendment.