What do you need to know about the US elections? How is the 'President' elected?

Voters will cast their ballots to elect members of Congress, who play a crucial role in passing laws that can have profound impacts on American life.

The 2024 elections will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The winner will serve a four-year term in the White House, beginning in January 2025.

In the US, the president has the authority to enact some laws independently, but for the most part, they must work with Congress to pass legislation.

The person elected as the US leader will have significant freedom in representing their country on the world stage and conducting foreign policy.

HOW ARE US PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES DETERMINED?

The two main parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, determine a presidential candidate by organizing a series of votes called 'state primaries' and 'party conventions,' where people choose who will lead the party in the general election.

In the Republican Party, former president Donald Trump secured his party's support by establishing a significant lead over his rivals. Trump became the official Republican nominee at a party convention held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For the Democrats, following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race, Vice President Kamala Harris entered the contest after receiving the support of party members.

There are also independent candidates running for the presidency.

The most notable of these was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of former president John F. Kennedy. However, Kennedy Jr. suspended his campaign in late August and endorsed Trump.

Running for the environmentalist Green Party is Dr. Jill Stein.

According to recent New York Times (NYT) polls, Stein has significant support among Muslims.

WHAT ARE THE CANDIDATES' PROMISES?

Republicans are the conservative political party in the US. They are also known as the 'GOP' or the 'Grand Old Party'.

Republicans have campaigned for lower taxes, reducing the size of government, gun rights, and stricter restrictions on immigration and abortion.

The Democrats, on the other hand, are a liberal political party that largely sets its agenda in line with civil rights, a broad social safety net, and measures to combat climate change.

The winner is not the person who receives the most votes nationwide. Instead, both candidates compete to win elections held in 50 states.

Each state has a specific number of 'electoral college votes' based partly on population. There are 538 votes in total, and the winner is the one who secures the 270 or more votes required for the presidency.

In all but two states in the U.S., a 'winner-takes-all' rule is applied; meaning the candidate who receives the most votes wins all of that state's electoral college votes.

WHAT ARE 'SWING STATES'?

In most states, voters have a strong tendency toward one of the two main parties. Therefore, the focus is usually on about a dozen states that either party could win. These are known as 'battleground' or 'swing states.'

It is possible for a candidate to receive the most votes nationwide (just as Hillary Clinton did in 2016) but still fail to secure a majority in the Electoral College.

HOW IS VOTING CONDUCTED IN THE US?

Most U.S. citizens aged 18 and older have the right to vote in presidential elections.

All states except North Dakota require people to register in order to vote.

Every other state has its own unique voter registration process and registration deadline policy.

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS WILL ALSO BE HELD

All eyes will be on who wins the presidency, but as voters cast their ballots, they will also be electing new members of Congress, where laws are passed.

Congress consists of the House of Representatives, where all 435 seats are up for election, and the Senate, where 34 seats are being contested.

Republicans currently control the House of Representatives, which oversees the government's spending plans. Democrats hold the majority in the Senate, which votes on key government appointments.

These two chambers are responsible for making laws. If the party controlling either chamber disagrees with the president, this serves as a check on the White House's plans.

WHEN WILL THE ELECTION RESULTS BE ANNOUNCED IN THE US?

The winner is usually announced on election night, but in 2020 it took several days to count all the votes.

The period after the election, if the president changes, is called the transition period. This gives the new administration time to appoint cabinet members and make plans for the new term.

The president officially takes office with an inauguration ceremony held on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington D.C. in January.