Understanding the US Government Season 1 Episode 9 How Presidential Elections Work

Understanding the US Government is an informative series that delves into the intricacies of the American political system. In season 1 episode 9, titled "How Presidential Elections Work," viewers are given an in-depth look at the process of electing the President of the United States.

The episode begins by outlining the basic principles of the electoral system. The US uses an indirect process in which voters cast their ballots for a presidential candidate, but it is the members of the Electoral College who ultimately select the president. The Electoral College is made up of 538 electors, with each state being allocated a certain number of electors based on the size of its population. The candidate who wins the majority of electoral votes (at least 270) becomes the President of the United States.

The episode then dives into the details of the election process, starting with the party primaries. Primaries are elections within each political party to select their presidential nominee. There are two types of primaries: open and closed. In an open primary, any eligible voter can cast a ballot for any party's candidate. In a closed primary, only registered members of a party are allowed to vote for their party's candidate. The winner of a primary election is awarded a certain number of delegates who then attend the party's national convention to officially select the candidate.

Once the candidates have been chosen, the general election campaign begins. The episode highlights the role of the media in presidential elections, with news outlets covering the campaigns and debates between the candidates. It also examines the importance of campaign funding, as candidates must raise significant amounts of money to finance their campaigns.

The episode goes on to explain the role of swing states in presidential elections. Swing states are states that do not consistently vote for one party or the other, and they are therefore crucial battlegrounds for candidates to win. The candidates typically focus their campaigns and resources on these states to secure their electoral votes.

Finally, the episode covers the role of the Electoral College and explains how a candidate can win the popular vote but lose the presidency. This has happened several times in US history and is a hotly debated issue in American politics.

Overall, "How Presidential Elections Work" provides a comprehensive overview of the presidential election process, its key players, and its important issues. It offers a valuable resource for viewers who are interested in understanding the US government and its political system.