presidential election
Choosing the leader
A presidential election is the process by which voters choose their country's president, typically occurring at fixed intervals—every four years in the United States.
The term most often refers to U.S. elections, which involve primary contests, party conventions, and a general election decided through the Electoral College rather than direct popular vote.
The presidential election dominated news coverage for months.
In other countries with presidents, the mechanics vary widely, from direct popular votes to parliamentary selections.
Voting document
- suffrageRight to cast ballots
- franchiseLicensed business operation
- turnoutNumber attending an event
- polling stationElection day venue
voting booth · precinct · absentee · early voting · voter registration · poll worker · provisional ballot · secret ballot
Entrust authority to another
- primaryChief in importance
- caucusParty selection meeting
- swing stateElectorally competitive region
- battleground stateElectorally contested region
winner-take-all · convention · certification · recount · contested · landslide · mandate · coattails
One proposed for position
- front-runnerLikely winner
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- incumbentCurrent position holder
- running mateVice presidential nominee
ticket · delegate · superdelegate · contender · hopeful · dark horse · concession · announcement
Gathering for a cause
- stumpTrunk base after felling
- debateFormal argument on issues
- platformRaised flat structure
- endorsementFormal expression of support
fundraising · primary · caucus · convention · nomination · canvassing · advertising · polling
Rule by the people
- republicState with elected leaders
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- checks and balancesConstitutional power-limiting framework
separation of powers · federalism · two-party system · bipartisanship · partisanship · red state · blue state · purple state
Formal vow for public duty
- swearing-inOfficial oath-taking ceremony
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- inaugural addressLeader's first formal oration
- CapitolLegislative assembly building
Chief Justice · transition · peaceful transfer · bible · parade · inaugural ball
ballot
Voting document
polling station · voting booth · precinct · absentee · early voting · voter registration · poll worker · provisional ballot · secret ballot · ballot box
delegate
Entrust authority to another
- primaryChief in importance
- caucusParty selection meeting
- swing stateElectorally competitive region
battleground state · winner-take-all · convention · certification · recount · contested · landslide · mandate · coattails · October surprise
nominee
One proposed for position
- front-runnerLikely winner
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- incumbentCurrent position holder
running mate · ticket · delegate · superdelegate · contender · hopeful · dark horse · concession · announcement · exploratory committee
rally
Gathering for a cause
endorsement · fundraising · primary · caucus · convention · nomination · canvassing · advertising · polling · strategy
democracy
Rule by the people
- republicState with elected leaders
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
- executiveSenior organizational leader
checks and balances · separation of powers · federalism · two-party system · bipartisanship · partisanship · red state · blue state · purple state · political polarization
oath of office
Formal vow for public duty
- swearing-inOfficial oath-taking ceremony
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- inaugural addressLeader's first formal oration
Capitol · Chief Justice · transition · peaceful transfer · bible · parade · inaugural ball
- every four yearsleap year, Summer Olympics, Olympic Games, UEFA Euro
- French Presidencyhead of state, executive power, Emmanuel Macron, Charles de Gaulle, emergency powers
- QuadrennialsOlympics, Summer Olympics, Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup, leap year
- Taiwan Politicslawmakers, premier, ruling party, political parties, candidates
- electionsballot, ballots, voter registration, candidates, polls
- presidencyOval Office, Washington, executive branch, veto, Adams
presidential electionprimary election
Party candidate selection vote
primary · caucus · exploratory committee · straw poll · preliminary round
presidential electionlocal election
Vote for nearby officials
municipal election · mayoral election · town meeting · parliamentary election · midterm election
presidential electioncoup d'état
Violent government seizure
military coup · hereditary succession · usurpation · palace coup · seizure of power
president, election, elected, electoral, electing, presidency, elections, elective, presidents