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elections

Definition

Elections are formal group decision-making processes by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office. They are a foundational aspect of democratic systems, allowing citizens to influence their government and its policies.

Analogy

Think of elections as the ultimate job interview where the entire country is the hiring committee. Just like in a job interview, candidates present their qualifications (policies, experience) and compete for the position, but instead of one hiring manager making the decision, millions of citizens cast their votes to decide who gets the job.

Related terms

Suffrage: The right to vote in public elections.

Ballot: A device used to cast votes in an election, typically paper or electronic.

Political Parties: Organized groups of people with similar political aims and opinions, that seek to influence public policy by getting their candidates elected to office

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.