Elections

Overviews

• The Electoral Process          
  Presented in question/answer format, this section addresses the nomination and election of the President, Senators, and Representatives, qualifications for voting, the administration of elections, and the funding of campaigns.
  
  
• Elections 2008          
  [HTML Version]
  
  
• U.S. Federal Election Commission          
  Explanation of the role and activities of the U.S. Federal Election Commission.
  
  
• More Than Elections: How Democracies Transfer Power          
  Democracy requires more than holding elections. Healthy democracies are defined by the expectations of citizens and the common rules, understandings, and trust they build. This eJournal USA explores the contours of civil society and political legitimacy within which peaceful transitions of power can occur.
  
  [HTML Version]
  
  
• Congressional Authority to Standardize National Election Procedures         
  Report on the constitutional authority and limitations relevant to attempts by Congress to standardize election procedures.
  
  
• Elections: A Framework for Evaluating Reform Proposals         
  This section explains the variability in election administration, discusses the challenges to effective electoral reform, and presents criteria for assessing reform.
  
  
• Elections Reform: Overview and Issues
  This report discusses the issues surrounding elections reform.
  
  
• Presidential Elections in the United States: A Primer          
  This report describes the four stages of the presidential election process.
  
  

Electoral College

• The American Electoral College          
  Explains the process of the Electoral College in its entirety.
  
  
• The Electoral College: How It Works in Contemporary Presidential Elections         
  This CRS report details workings of the Electoral College.
  
  
• A Procedural Guide to the Electoral College          
  A fundamental breakdown of the history and current operations of the Electoral College.
  
  

Campaign Finance

• Campaign Finance: An Overview     
  This CRS report provides a general summary of campaign finance and the issues surrounding it, including legislation from the 108th and 109th Congresses.
  
  
• Campaign Finance      
  This CRS report provides a general summary of campaign finance and the issues surrounding it, including legislation from the 108th and 109th Congresses.
  
  
• Campaign Finance Reform: Regulating Political Communications on the Internet     
  This CRS report reviews the issues involved with defining "election activity" on the Internet and what can be regulated.
  
  

Election Procedures and Technologies

• Frequently Asked Questions About Voter Registration and Voting           
  Questions and answers about voting, including polling place hours, registration deadlines, and the selection of the November election day.
  
  
• The Administrative Structure of State Election Offices         
  A general reference guide outlining the unique systems used to administer elections in the 50 States and the District of Columbia.
  
  
• Frequently Asked Questions About Voting System Standards        
  Brief explanations of the need for functional criteria, along with technical requirements for hardware, software, and documentation.
  
  
• Voting Systems Performance and Test Standards: An Overview         
  Overview of a Voting Systems Standards report, which seeks to ensure the accuracy, reliability and dependability of certified election equipment.
  
  
• Internet Voting: Issues and Legislation             
  This is a CRS report on voting via the Internet.
  
  
• The Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machine (DRE) Controversy: FAQs and Misperceptions
  Report on voting systems in the U.S. and the controversy surrounding electronic voting machines.