Anonymous writes... "Can you please answer me this. Why are federal elections held on the first Tuesday in November? What makes it so special and why was it chosen?"     First, federal elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. To answer your question, the Tuesday after the first Monday in November was initially established in 1845 (3 U.S.C. 1) for the appointment of

Anonymous writes... "Once the Primary is over. If a candidate does not win in the party they ran in can he/she switch to lets say a different party like Libertarian or some other open party to run against the Republicans and Democrats in the run off?"    Yes. If a candidate does not win the primary, he/she can run as a third party candidate or write-in in the general election (not runoff). HOWE

William writes... "Do Republican Primaries still take place, now that only 1 candidate remains? How does the whole process work now?"   Great question. Yes, a primary still takes place with only 1 candidate ("the presumptive nominee") remaining in the race. People can still vote for the other candidates appearing on the ballot (who have since dropped out), and the results will be counted - ho

Anonymous writes... "I don't understand the differences between a primary and a caucus. Also, what do conventions have to do with anything?"   Primary: In a primary election, registered voters participate in selecting the candidate for the party's nomination by voting, as in a general election. After the votes are tallied, the number of votes a candidate receives determines the number of delega

Anonymous writes... "In states where the electorate is not bound by law to follow the popular vote, do the voters have any legal recourse in, for example, civil court or even federal court, to protest the electorate not following the popular vote?"    The short answer is no, but it would create an epic shit storm of anger. Furthermore, you can bet that should an electorate not follow the popula

Bob writes... "if I don't vote in Indiana primary, can I vote in general election?"    I get this question a lot! 'If I don't vote in the primary or caucus, can I vote in November's general election?' Yes, you can still vote in November. And yes, you can also vote for whomever you want. Another question I get frequently is this: "do I have to vote for the candidate in the party I am registere

Anonymous writes... "What is the order of succession should the President die, become incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to finish his term of office?"    The order of succession is as follows: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, and Secretaries of the Interior, Agricu

Cathy F. writes... "I live in columbus, ohio i think i might be register as an independent. can i still vote republican without changing my status."    Yes, you can still vote Republican in the GENERAL ELECTION in November. You can vote for anybody you wish once you step in the voting booth, no matter how you are registered. I am registered Independent in Florida and vote for who I feel is th

Abe D. writes... "Jeff. What's the difference between an open primary and a closed primary? It's so bloody confusing! How do I get more info for rules & the process my state?"    Good question Abe. Here goes! I found some great sources of info for you, too. In a closed primary, only voters registered for the party which is holding the primary may vote. For instance: if the Democrat Party

Benny B writes... "I wan't to know why we don't have write in votes. That's telling me I can't vote for my candidate. Neither nominee is good for America, but we're forced to vote Party lines that we disagree with or not vote at all. I'm really perturbed with the whole bunch of them."    We do have write-in candidates / votes! You may vote for whomever you wish on your ballot. Primaries are a l

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