US Vote Blog

Because voters are typically looking for change, midterm elections characteristically result in the President’s party losing ground in the U.S. House of Representative.

Presidents are keenly aware of this trend and are often quite nervous about their potential loss of power and new challenges to pass their legislative agendas, whatever they may be. Let’s take a look at the attempts and threats a president might make to counteract this election trend and expand executive power over elections.

Regardless of your political affiliation, being frustrated by politics or the news is a common form of stress.

Becoming a pollworker is a fantastic way to combat political anxiety and a wonderful way to get involved in the local actions of your community. “Not only are you helping your friends and neighbors have a positive experience when they cast their ballot, but it is also an opportunity to ensure elections are safe, secure, accurate, and accessible.”

In 2024, the Republican National Committee challenged a Mississippi statute that allowed absentee ballots to be received up to five days after a federal Election Day. If cast by Election Day, those ballots would still be counted.

The case went before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. They ruled in favor of the defendant, that Mississippi’s statute allowing for the 5-day grace period did not conflict with federal law, and it was therefore allowed to continue. But it did not end there....

Your task as a voter in a primary election is to choose from amongst the party’s candidates which one will be the party nominee and be on the ballot in the general election. Never underestimate the importance of primaries - they are the first step to winning.

Your political party affiliation is used to vote in many states' primary elections. In this blog, we provide you with the information on how to change your political party affiliation as it varies in every state.

"MID"-term is an odd name for an election. It's a name that not everyone can relate to at first. But when you look at "midterm" and in your mind, you see the words "middle of the [president's] term", then you can capture the meaning more clearly.

The midterm elections occur across all states two years into the president's 4-year term. It is a nationwide election and it determines the balance of power in congress. It is often referred to as the "congressional midterm". But make no mistake, the midterm elections take the temperature on the president. They can be a rubber-stamp of approval or a referendum of rejection to the president's agenda.

What are the different ways that primaries are conducted?

There are five types of primaries conducted in the United States: open primaries, primaries open to unaffiliated voters, partially open primaries, closed primaries, and semi-closed primaries. Here we provide details on the several types of primaries.

The United States is the only major democracy using primary elections to narrow down nominees for office from a selection of candidates. And we haven’t always done it this way.

Think of primaries as a way to narrow down the field of candidates to those who will ultimately appear on the ballot in the general election. A primary election permits voters to decide which candidates for office will become the parties’ nominees in an upcoming general election. During primary elections, we collectively winnow down pools of candidates, the winners of which are voted on for office in the general election.

What's at stake in the general election: All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and a varying number each midterm of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate, plus handfuls of other state offices and ballot measures.

What is a Midterm Election?

U.S. Presidents hold office for 4-years at a stretch. This is referred to as a four year “term” in office.

A “midterm” election is therefore defined as an election that takes place halfway through the 4-year Presidential term, i.e. in the middle of the 4-year term.

Hence what is referred to as a “midterm” election. It's an election 2 years after the Presidential election. The midterm elections happen across all states, and they are for offices other than that of the President or Vice President.

Who Gets Your Vote and What Do They Do? Election Season: What’s at Stake?

As the upcoming election approaches, voters across the country are preparing to cast their ballots for a variety of elected officials. While presidential races often attract the most attention, other positions—like state and municipal level officials—hold critical roles in shaping our government and everyday lives.

Understanding who these officials are, how they differ from federal level senators, congresspersons, and representatives, and what they do is key to making an informed decision at the polls.