Simone Lawson
The process of choosing leaders in a presidential democracy varies from country to country. In the United States, the world's primary example of a presidential system, the election of the president is a two-step process. Voters cast ballots on Election Day in each state, and the candidate with the most votes is awarded that state's electoral votes. These votes are cast by “electors”, representatives from each state, and the candidate who receives an absolute majority of 270 or more votes becomes the President. In Canada, a representative democracy, all citizens over 18 can vote in their electoral district, and the candidate with the most votes in their riding becomes a member of Parliament (MP) and represents the riding in the House of Commons. The leader of the party with the most MPs typically becomes the Prime Minister.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Citizens vote for a president and vice president | N/A |
| Candidates from the two main political parties campaign throughout the country | Democrats and Republicans |
| Candidates participate in televised debates | N/A |
| Primaries and caucuses lead to a selection of delegates who represent the people at conventions | N/A |
| Party members select the best candidate through a series of discussions and votes | N/A |
| Each party holds a national convention to select a final presidential nominee | N/A |
| The presidential candidate chooses a running mate (vice presidential candidate) | N/A |
| Citizens vote for electors, who represent their state in the Electoral College | N/A |
| The Electoral College decides who will be elected president and vice president | N/A |
| The president, executive officers, and members of the judiciary can be dismissed through impeachment and conviction | N/A |
| Citizens have no way to force an unpopular president out of power outside of regularly scheduled elections | N/A |
| The presidential system is based on the separation and sharing of powers among three independent and coordinate branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial | N/A |
| The presidential system has a strong and independent chief executive with extensive powers related to domestic and foreign policy | N/A |
| The president is independent from the legislature and is directly accountable to the people | N/A |
| The presidential system is said to achieve limited government and protection of individual rights, especially minority rights | N/A |
| All Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old on election day can vote in their electoral district | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Electoral College
In a presidential system of government, the president is elected by the people and is directly accountable to them, unlike in the parliamentary system. The United States is the primary example of a presidential system, with other democracies like Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines following its model.
The Electoral College is a process established by the Founding Fathers in the US Constitution as a compromise between the election of the President by a vote in Congress and the election of the President by a popular vote of qualified citizens. It is not a single gathering but a collective set of meetings across all the states. The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, with each state receiving a number of electoral votes equal to its representation in Congress. The minimum number of electors is three, reflecting the fact that each state has two senators and at least one representative in the House. Since the number of House members a state has is based on its population, the number of electoral votes each state receives is different.
Each candidate running for President has their own group of electors (known as a slate). These electors are generally chosen by the candidate's political party, but state laws vary on how electors are selected and what their responsibilities are. In most states, a \"winner-take-all\" system is used, where all electors are awarded to the candidate who wins the state's popular vote. However, Maine and Nebraska have a variation of "proportional representation", where electors are appointed based on the winning candidate in each congressional district, along with two "at-large" electors based on the overall statewide popular vote.
The Electoral College vote takes place in mid-December, and the electors meet in their respective states to cast their ballots. While the Constitution does not require electors to vote for the candidate chosen by their state's popular vote, some states enforce this. Electors who vote against their state's popular vote may be fined, disqualified, or even prosecuted.
The votes are then sent to Congress, where the US House and Senate meet in a joint session to count each state's electoral votes and confirm the winner of the presidential election. A candidate needs a majority of at least 270 electoral votes to win. If no candidate receives a majority, the vote goes to the House of Representatives, which has happened twice in US history.
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Primaries and Caucuses
In a presidential democracy, the people elect their leaders, unlike in a parliamentary system, where the legislature elects the leaders. The United States is the primary example of a presidential democracy, with a few other democracies, such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines, following its model.
In primaries, voters choose their preferred candidate by casting secret ballots. The number of delegates awarded to each candidate is based on a set of rules that vary by state and are set by the political parties at the national and state levels. These delegates then represent their state at the national party conventions, where they endorse their preferred candidate. The final presidential nominee from each party is announced at the end of the conventions.
Caucuses, on the other hand, are meetings run by political parties at the county, district, or precinct level. Some caucuses choose candidates by secret ballot, while others require participants to divide themselves into groups according to their preferred candidate. Undecided participants can form their own group. Caucus formats tend to be more interactive and hectic, with supporters of candidates making speeches, holding up signs, and trying to convince others to join their group.
A handful of states use caucuses, while a few use both primaries and caucuses. The staggered nature of the primary season allows candidates to focus their resources on different areas of the country at different times, enabling more personalized campaigning in less populous states.
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Party conventions
Conventions are composed of delegates, who are either pledged or bound to a specific candidate, or unpledged, also known as superdelegates, who can choose which candidate to support. Pledged delegates are typically selected through state caucuses and primary elections, and they must vote for the candidate they were awarded to. Unpledged delegates, on the other hand, are high-ranking party leaders, such as governors, members of Congress, and current and former leaders, who can support any candidate of their choice.
The role of superdelegates has evolved over time. In 2018, the Democratic National Committee agreed to reduce their influence by preventing them from voting on the first ballot, allowing their votes only in a contested nomination. The number of superdelegates varies by party, with the Democratic Party having a higher proportion, around 15% of overall delegates, compared to the Republican Party's 5% in 2020.
During the conventions, delegates vote for their assigned candidates, and if no candidate receives a majority of votes, additional rounds of voting are held. Between rounds, candidates can negotiate backroom deals, offering positions or favours in exchange for delegates' support. This process continues until a candidate secures a majority, as seen in the record-holding 1924 Democratic National Convention, which took 103 ballots to choose a compromise candidate.
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Campaigns and debates
The campaign trail then heats up as candidates from the two main parties, the Democrats and Republicans, embark on tours across the country to rally support and fundraise. This period is marked by intense media scrutiny, with candidates participating in televised debates and engaging in political discourse to showcase their platforms and defend their stances. These debates are considered crucial for informing voters, highlighting policy differences, and fostering healthy competition among candidates.
The format of these debates has evolved over time, with the traditional timed answers and strict structures giving way to more open formats. The rise of social media, the establishment of new media networks, and the increase in independent voters have all contributed to the changing landscape of presidential campaigns and debates. Despite these changes, the quadrennial events continue to attract a large viewing audience, underscoring their importance in the electoral process.
During the debates, candidates are expected to demonstrate respect for the electorate and provide substantive, honest, and civil responses to moderators' questions. The selection of moderators has been a point of contention, with concerns raised about the lack of transparency and the potential influence of broadcasting talents on the debate process. Nonetheless, debates remain a critical platform for candidates to engage in meaningful exchanges, showcase their qualifications, and earn the trust of voters.
In a presidential system of democracy, the separation of powers and checks and balances among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches are key features. This structure grants the president extensive powers in domestic and foreign affairs, with direct accountability to the people who elected them. The impeachment process, though rarely invoked, serves as a mechanism to hold the president and other executive officers accountable for any unethical or criminal behaviour.
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Voting and ballots
The US presidential election process can be quite complex. It begins with primary elections and caucuses, which lead to the selection of delegates who represent the people at the upcoming conventions. These delegates then endorse their preferred candidates, and the final presidential nominee from each party is announced at the end of the conventions. The candidates from the two main political parties, the Democrats and Republicans, then campaign across the country to win support. Televised debates are also held, where candidates must answer tough questions about their policies and defend their stances.
The Electoral College is a crucial aspect of the US presidential election. It is a process where electors or representatives from each state, proportional to the state's population, cast their votes. The number of electors from each state varies and is determined by the state legislature. While most states follow the "winner-take-all" rule, where the candidate with the majority of votes receives all the state's electoral votes, Maine and Nebraska allocate their electoral votes proportionally.
The Electoral College system has been criticised for reducing the President's accountability to the people, as it allows for the election of a candidate who receives fewer popular votes. However, supporters of the presidential system argue that the separation of powers and checks and balances among the branches of government prevent excessive power and protect individual rights.
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Frequently asked questions
In a presidential democracy, leaders are chosen through a process of elections. In the United States, the world's primary example of a presidential system, citizens vote for a President and Vice President. The election process involves primaries and caucuses, which lead to the selection of delegates who represent the people at party conventions. These conventions select the final presidential nominee for each party. The presidential nominee with the most electoral votes becomes the President.
In a presidential democracy, citizens cast their votes for a group of people called electors, who represent their state in the Electoral College. The Electoral College is a unique American system that blends direct popular vote with state-centric representation, ensuring each state has a voice in the election. Electors are expected to vote for the candidate chosen by their state's voters, but this is not federally mandated.
Candidates from the main political parties campaign across the country to rally support and fundraise. They participate in televised debates, where they answer questions about their policies and defend their stances.
Yes, in a presidential system, the President and other executive officers can be dismissed through a process of impeachment and conviction, although this is rare. Citizens typically cannot force an unpopular President out of power outside of regularly scheduled elections.
