Research/Reference
2008 U.S. General Election - November 4, 2008
A look at the processes that define the U.S. electoral system.
Most U.S. states have held their preliminaries as they prepare for the upcoming midterm elections in November. (© AP Images) |
A primary is a state-level election where voters affiliated with political parties choose candidates to represent their parties in the general election. A caucus is a local-level meeting of registered party members to determine support for a candidate. The results of these meetings are combined on a statewide basis to determine a state's party nominee. |
CQ POLITICS - 2008 Primary Guide
Early Primaries and Caucuses Shape Presidential Hopefuls' Odds
Ohio's delegation to the Electoral College certify their votes during the voting ceremony in the Columbus statehouse in December 2004. (© AP Images/ Will Shilling) |
According to the Constitution, presidents are elected by the Electoral College, composed of electors from each state who represent the will of their state's voters. Each state's group of electors is equal in number to its Congressional representation. Typically all of a state's electors cast their votes for the candidate who won a plurality of votes in their state. A candidate must receive at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win. |
The Electoral College
National Archives: Electoral College
Presidential Elections Reform Program The Electoral College
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The Constitution makes no provision for political parties. They developed on their own as the country grew, and by the 1830s were an established part of the political environment. Today, the Republicans and Democrats are the two main political parties. They have dominated American politics since the 1860s, and every president since 1852 has been one or the other. |
As required by the Help America Vote Act, new technology helps voters with disabilities to cast their ballots. (© AP Images/Home News Tribune/ Keith Muccilli) |
Following problems with the 2000 elections, Congress passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), providing funds for states to modernize voting systems and calling for minimum standards in elections administration. This is important since all U.S. elections, even presidential elections, are administered locally. Many states have already implemented these new standards, and more changes are expected for 2008. |
New Tools Encourage Americans To Exercise Right to Vote
A look at the men and woman currently competing for the Republican and Democratic nominations.
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Hillary Clinton Biography |
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Barack Obama Biography |
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| Republican Candidates | ||||
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John McCain Biography |
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Candidate views on key international issues.
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Find answers to frequently asked questions on: conventions, caucuses, types of elections, voting, the electoral college, requirements for running for office, and U.S. political parties.
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This edition of eJournal USA presents an introduction to the upcoming 2008 U.S. elections. In these elections, U.S. voters will have the opportunity to vote for president and vice president, congressional representatives, state and local officials, and ballot initiatives. The journal describes aspects of this election which make it different from most recent elections and includes a pro-con debate of the Electoral College. |
General Election
2008 U.S. Elections: Guide to the 2008 Elections (U.S. Department of State)
INFORMATION USA: Resources on elections in the United States (U.S. Department of State)
The Center for Voting and Democracy
This organization works to ensure everyone has access to voting.
The Center for Voting and Democracy – The Electoral College
This page describes how the system works and challenges it faces today.
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration: U.S. Electoral College
This agency provides important facts and teaching resources about the Electoral College.
The Electoral College (U.S. Department of State)
Commission on Presidential Debates
This commission determines the schedule and format of presidential debates.
Council on Foreign Relations: Campaign 2008
Foreign policy experts cover the U.S. presidential campaign
Election 2008: Primary, Caucus, and Convention Phase
This site tracks the voting process during the primary and caucus season.
Ohio State University, Election Law @ Moritz
This site follows the latest developments in states' election laws.
Politics1 – Presidency2008
This nonpartisan Web site helps inform Americans about the candidates.
Project Vote Smart
This nonpartisan organization tracks candidates' stances on key issues.
Real Clear Politics
This site gathers and publishes the nation's latest political polls and commentary.
Rock the Vote
The nonpartisan organization encourages young people to vote.
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
This independent bipartisan commission is charged with implementing voting guidelines established in the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
U.S. Federal Election Commission
The government entity enforces U.S. electoral laws.
United States Politics and Elections
This site lists relevant Web sites that provide information about elections.
You Choose ‘08
This webpage provides links to the candidates' YouTube videos.
e-democracy: Political News, Information and Links
This nonpartisan organization works to encourage more people to be involved in the democratic process.
United States Election Assistance Commission: The National Voter Registration Act
New Tools Encourage Americans To Exercise Right to Vote
League of Women Voters
This nonpartisan grassroots organization helps candidates and voters.
Center for American Women and Politics
This center researches the role of women in American politics.
Declare Yourself
This nonpartisan organization encourages young people to vote.
Pew Hispanic Center -- Politics
This center researches issues important to Hispanic voters.
Parties
Early Primaries and Caucuses Shape Presidential Hopefuls’ Odds
Political Parties in the United States
Democratic National Committee
This is the primary Web site for the Democratic Party.
The 2008 Democratic National Convention
This site provides the latest information about the convention that will be held August 25-28, 2008, in Denver.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
This committee helps Democratic candidates for Congress.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
This committee helps Democratic candidates for the Senate.
Republican National Committee
This is the primary Web site for the Republican Party.
The 2008 Republican National Convention
This site provides the latest information about the convention that will be held September 1-4, 2008, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
National Republican Congressional Committee
This committee helps Republican candidates for Congress.
National Republican Senatorial Committee
This committee helps Republican candidates for Senate.
Campaign Finance
The Campaign Finance Institute: Studies on campaign financing
Campaign Guide for Congressional Candidates and Committees
Center for Responsive Politics
This nonpartisan organization tracks money spent in politics.
Combined Federal/State Disclosure And Election Directory 2007
This directory provides links to states' financial disclosure rules Web sites.
CQ MoneyLine
This site maintained by Congressional Quarterly tracks candidates’ and parties' campaign spending.
Huffington Post’s Fundrace 2008
This site allows people to search a database of campaign donors.
PACronyms
This site provides a list of political action committees.
Media
ABC News -- Politics
The latest headlines, a blog and video
CNN Election Center 2008
Information on the candidates and their views on key issues
The Cook Political Report
Analysis of local and federal campaigns
Fox News – You Decide 2008
Summary of candidates’ positions and links to the latest polls
MSNBC -- Politics
News and video on the presidential campaign
The New Republic: Campaign 2008
A daily blog discussing the campaign
The Politico, Politics ‘08
Detailed news and gossip from the campaign trail
The Hill
News on presidential and congressional politics
The New York Times -- Politics
News and interactive graphics on political issues, campaigns and finances.
The Washington Post Campaign Tracker
Reports on candidates’ campaign appearances across the country
The Washington Post -- Politics Elections
News, webchats and blogs about the presidential campaign
The Washington Post, Primaries map
An interactive map about the state primaries
Washington Post.com, "The Trail"
A blog about the latest events in the presidential campaign
The Washington Times -- Election
News and political commentary
Polls
ABC News Polling Unit
Polls and blogs on a variety of topics
CBS News Polls
Video and links to the latest political polls
Electoral Vote
Maps showing which states favor which party.
The Gallup Poll Election 2008
Data on both issues and candidates from one of the best-known polling organizations
Los Angeles Times Poll
Polls on issues and candidates
The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
Polls on a variety of social and political issues
The Polling Report – Election 2008
Polls on the presidential and congressional elections
Public Agenda
Information on what the public thinks of its leaders
Quinnipiac University National Polls
Polls on a variety of issues.
Rasmussen Reports
Links to a variety of polls and commentary.
The Washington Post - ABC News polls
Variety of materials, including a blog that explains polls' findings
Zogby International
Information on a variety of topics from one of the best-known polling organizations
Information for Students
Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government for Kids: Election Process
This Library of Congress site explains how Americans pick their leaders.
CNN Student News
This site offer news for children and learning projects.
PBS Kids The Democracy Project
This interactive Web site teaches how Americans vote.
Scholastic News: Election 2008
This site posts news for kids, reported by kids.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs,
U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
