Elections are the main way citizens choose leaders and influence public policy. Different types of elections happen at different points in the election calendar, and each one answers a different civic question. Some elections choose party nominees, some choose officeholders, and some fill vacancies or decide local issues.
Understanding these types helps voters know when to participate and what their vote will decide.
A typical election cycle often begins with primary elections, moves toward a general election, and may include local, special, or midterm elections along the way. The calendar matters because registration deadlines, campaign periods, early voting, and Election Day all shape voter participation. National elections usually get the most attention, but local elections can have the most direct effect on schools, roads, policing, taxes, and community services.
A clear election calendar helps citizens connect each election type to its purpose and timing.
Key Facts
- Primary elections decide which candidate will represent a political party in the general election.
- General elections decide which candidate wins an office and serves in government.
- Midterm elections occur halfway through a president's 4-year term and often include congressional, state, and local races.
- Special elections are held outside the regular schedule to fill vacancies or decide urgent ballot questions.
- Local elections choose officials such as mayors, city council members, school board members, sheriffs, and judges.
- Voter turnout rate = number of voters who cast ballots divided by number of eligible voters times 100.
Vocabulary
- Primary Election
- An election in which voters choose a party's candidate for a later general election.
- General Election
- An election in which voters choose the person who will hold a public office.
- Midterm Election
- An election held in the middle of a president's term, often deciding seats in Congress and state offices.
- Special Election
- An election held at an unusual time to fill an empty office or decide a specific issue.
- Ballot
- The official list of candidates, offices, and questions that voters use to cast their choices.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing primaries with general elections: a primary usually chooses a party nominee, while a general election chooses the officeholder.
- Assuming midterm elections are less important: they can change control of Congress, state legislatures, and local governments.
- Ignoring local elections: local officials often make decisions that affect daily life more directly than national officials.
- Missing registration and voting deadlines: election rules follow a calendar, so being eligible is not enough if a voter misses key dates.
Practice Questions
- 1 A town has 24,000 eligible voters. In a local election, 7,200 people vote. What is the voter turnout rate?
- 2 A state holds a primary in March, a general election in November, and a special election in June. How many months pass between the primary and the general election, and which election happens between them?
- 3 A city council member resigns one year before the next regular election. Explain why a special election might be used instead of waiting for the next general election.