How Does The U.S. Electoral Process Work?

Tomorrow, November 3, the United States of America will vote for their next president.

President Donald Trump is seeking a second term while former U.S. President Joe Biden is seeking the presidency.

Some states will have more candidates on the ballot, these people are known as third party candidates. The two major parties are Democratic and Republican but there are lesser-known parties also.

In Canada, we elect a local member of Parliament from a party and typically the party with the most seats form the government with the leader of that party becoming the prime minister. The United States has a very different system.

On election day, Americans will cast their vote but they actually select the preferred choice for president on the ballot. On that ballot, they also vote for other positions such as senator and county sheriffs.

The presidential candidate who gains the most votes wins the "popular vote" but that person doesn't necessarily become president. After votes are cast to become president you need to win enough states, not votes. This leads us to the importance of the Electoral College.

The Electoral College is a body of electors established by the United States Constitution, which forms every four years for the sole purpose of electing the president and vice president of the United States. Each state has a different number of Electoral College votes. These people typically vote in the way that their state voted.

The final step is picking the president which is done by the Electoral College. To win the election, a candidate must receive a majority of electoral votes.

In the event no candidate receives a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the president and the Senate chooses the vice president.

From now until November 3, Newfound News will provide insights on the US Presidential election. Then on Tuesday evening, follow our Facebook, Twitter, and website for live election results.

Tomorrow's story will feature "Election Day in America."