U.S. Presidential Elections: How They Work

An inauguration is the act of swearing an elected person into office. Inauguration Day is the day that the most important elected official in the United States, the president, takes office. Readers will learn about the history of Inauguration Day in the United States, key aspects of this important day, and how Inauguration Day has changed since 1789, when George Washington took office. Full-color photographs and primary sources help readers understand the importance and ceremony of Inauguration Day.

Primaries and caucuses are some of the first steps to becoming the president of the United States. Candidates who've announced their intention to run for this important office first have to convince members of their political party that they deserve a nomination. Primaries and caucuses help political parties choose their official party candidate. Readers will learn about the history of and key parts and processes associated with American primaries and caucuses. Primary sources and informative fact boxes give historical context to these important events in the journey to becoming the president of the United States.

By the time the U.S. presidential election rolls around every four years, everyone knows who's in the running for office. But how are presidential candidates in the United States chosen? How do candidates get nominated, and what does a nomination mean? Can you become president without a nomination, and why or why not? Readers will learn about political parties, national conventions, special circumstances during nominations, and the history of presidential nominations. Primary sources and fact boxes add further historical and fascinating content.

Have you ever wondered why presidential candidates need money for their campaigns? How do they get the funds they need to succeed in politics? This book focuses on how and where presidential candidates obtain the money to help them run for the country's highest office. Readers will learn about the history of campaign fund-raising and discover how candidates in different time periods approached it. They'll also learn about historical events, including a recent Supreme Court decision, that changed the nature of fund-raising. Timelines, graphic organizers, and colorful photographs help students visualize the concepts, and sidebars provide additional information to enhance the main narrative.

The position of president of the United States is an important one, but how does a person get elected president? First, people have to know who they are. To do that, candidates must announce their plan to run for a nomination and the presidency, and then they campaign. A perfect introduction for young readers, this book covers the details of the campaign trail, from grassroots organization to winning delegate support. Readers will learn about key historical figures in U.S. presidential elections. They will also learn how campaigns function today and the debates people have about whether they work well.

The Electoral College is the body of people who elect the president and vice president of the United States. Many U.S. citizens are confused by this system, which dates back to the creation of the U.S. Constitution. When citizens vote for a presidential candidate, they're actually voting for an elector who will cast a vote for their state for that candidate in the Electoral College. This system is a controversial subject in American politics. Primary sources and informative sidebars lend historical context to help young readers understand this essential aspect of U.S. presidential elections.

Why is voting to choose the president of the United States important? What is the process and how has it changed? These essential questions and more are answered in this book, which will educate students about an important facet of citizenship. Complete with detailed descriptions, enlightening fact boxes, and engaging imagery, this book will guide readers through the steps and history of voting and introduce them to important historical figures. Equipped with the knowledge in this book, students will feel empowered to continue molding the nation's history through voting.

Every four years in the United States of America, candidates from different political parties stand in front of the nation to showcase their ideas and sell their visions of the future before Election Day. Presidential debates are a way for candidates to share their ideas, show how they are different from other candidates, and garner support from voters. This book outlines the history and background that make these debates so important to the American political process. Detailed fact boxes and pictures from some of the most consequential debates in history help readers make connections about this exciting aspect of U.S. presidential elections.