November 6, 2012 is Election Day in the U.S.

In the United States, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November is set by law for the election of public officials. This is referred to as the “general” election day.

Every year, there is a general election day, but not all public officials are elected each year. To help understand who is elected when and by whom, it may be helpful to review what type of federal government exists in the U.S.

The U.S. federal system of government is composed of three branches. Those three branches are the “executive,” “legislative” and “judicial.” This is referred to as a “tri-partite” system of government because it is composed of three parts. In this system, each part exercises functions the others cannot and all three parts are required for the government to function. In other words, the necessary power to govern resides in no one branch, but can only be exercised by the branches working together and sharing their individual powers. This sharing is referred to as a “balance of power” or a system of “checks and balances.” Without each branch accepting the checks of the other branches and all the branches balancing power among themselves, the government would fail and fall. To avoid this unacceptable result, the branches work together and have for over 200 years.

In part, the continuing success of this three-part system of government is the regular election of new officials.

The federal executive branch administers the day-to-day activities of the federal government. The executive branch issues the regulations that implement the laws the legislative branch enacts. This federal executive branch is led by the President and Vice President, who are both elected. All other employees of the executive branch are appointed.

Every four years, in years divisible by four, the general election day is designated by law for the election of the President and Vice President. This general election is referred to as the “Presidential” election. This year, November 6, 2012 is a Presidential election year. All registered voters in the United States can vote in the Presidential election.

The federal legislative branch makes the federal laws that the executive branch administers. The federal legislative branch is composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Members of the House are referred to as Representatives and are elected for two-year terms. Members of the Senate are Senators and are elected for six-year terms.

Each U.S. state’s number of Representatives is determined in relationship to its population. There can only be a total of 435 House members, so the distribution changes as the populations of the states change. Currently, California has the most with 53 Representatives. Members of the House serve a two-year term and are up for election every two years. Only those voters in a geographically defined district within a state can vote for that district’s federal Representative.

Each U.S. state has two Senators, for a total of 100 Senators for the 50 states. Senators serve a six-year term. Senatorial elections are staggered so only 1/3 of the Senators stand for election every two-years. All the registered voters in a state vote for the state Senator up for election.

Finally, the federal judicial branch reviews, interprets and, if necessary, overturns the laws of the legislative branch and the regulations of the executive branch. The federal judicial branch is the Supreme Court composed of Justices who are appointed not elected. Federal Supreme Court Justices will not be on any election ballot. At the state level, however, state judges may be on the ballot.

In even-numbered years when the President and Vice President are not on the ballot, the general election day is called a “midterm” election.

If things are running smoothly, all Representatives and 1/3 of all Senators will be up for election in each Presidential election and each midterm election. This will be the case this year when all 435 House seats are up for election and 33 Senate seats will be on the ballot for the Presidential election.

Each U.S. State has a Governor, state representatives and state senators. Many states have judges who are elected. These state-level officials are largely elected in the same Presidential and midterm elections years as the federal officials. Most state officials have terms similar to their federal counterparts, so most will be up for election in this year’s Presidential election.

In odd-numbered years, the general election day is called an “off-year” election. Most federal and state officials are elected in Presidential and midterm elections. There are rare exceptions, but generally the off-year elections are municipal elections for mayors and other local officials and local citizen initiatives.

For U.S. citizens, this is a big Election Day. Everyone can vote for President and Vice President. Voters will have their federal Representative and state representative on their ballots. Many will see a state senator. Some may have a federal Senator. The state Governor may be up for election. State judges could be on the ballot. The list may continue. Check your local news and the Internet for a voter’s guide listing the offices and individuals on your ballot.

Double check your voting location. Be sure to bring your voter registration card. If you can’t find the card and you are registered, your name should be listed at the polling location. Bring your driver’s license or picture ID, and get ready to VOTE!

The best thing about being a voter is voting. The best thing about election day is the vote. The second best thing about election day is watching the results.

Good voting and save some popcorn for me.

I wonder who won,

Grandpa Jim