U.S. Elections

On Election Day, Americans visit polling places around the states to vote for political leaders, such as senators, governors and presidents. Election Day falls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. Other elections may be held at different times.

This guide uses eLibraryUSA resources and more to provide you with ways to obtain information on the electoral process in the United States and its history.

Key Search Terms and Subject Headings:

Elections - United States
Election Day
Election districts
Election forecasting
Election law
Election officials
Electoral college
Contested elections
Campaign debates
Local elections
Primaries
Political campaigns
Political candidates
Political conventions
Political parties
Voting

Overview Sources:

Share America - U.S. Elections

Share America tells America's story and highlights important issues around the world. This section of the site is specifically dedicated to U.S. Elections.

U.S. History In Context

Those interested in learning about the history of U.S. Elections can use this resource for their research. Each page contains links to primary resources, academic journal articles, and audio and visual content.

Selected entries:
•  Campaign Financing
•  Electoral College
•  Voting Rights Act of 1965

Global Issues in Context - U.S. Presidential Election 2016

Global Issues in Context brings together information about issues affecting each country in the world. Here you can find reference information on this year's presidential election.

Research in Context

Research In Context is designed for those who are new to research and has a brief overview of different topics. Explore the search results relating to Elections and the Electoral college.

CQ Researcher Online

CQ Researcher Online provides in-depth analysis for people researching political and social issues. Here you can discover reports relating to the Campaigns and Elections, Party Politics and Voting and Suffrage.

Opposing Viewpoints In Context

Opposing Viewpoints In Context looks at controversial issues from all sides, collecting insights from supporters and opponents. Find information on Electronic Voting, Federal Elections and the Presidential Election Process.

Books:

ebrary

ebrary offers ebooks from trusted publishers in all academic subject areas. Ebrary allows for keyword and many other advanced search options and uses Library of Congress subject headings to organize its ebook collection.

Selected e-books:
•  1920 : The Year of the Six Presidents by David Pietrusza
•  Electing America's Governors : The Politics of Executive Elections by David L. Leal
•  Little World Social Studies II : What's an Election? (1) by Nancy Kelly Allen, Britannica Digital Learning
•  Parties and Elections in America : The Electoral Process (6) by L. Sandy Maisel and Mark D. Brewer
•  Very Short Introductions : American Political Parties and Elections : A Very Short Introduction by L. Sandy Maisel

Gale Virtual Reference Library

Gale Virtual Reference Library also has many e-books in his library on elections in the United States.

Selected e-books:
•  Guide to the Presidency, 2007 provides factual information about the institution and the presidents. Explains the structure and operations of the office and the president's relationship to co-equal branches of government, Congress and the Supreme Court. There is even a part of the book dedicated to the Biographies of Past Presidents, Vice Presidents and First Ladies.
•  Guide to Political Campaigns in America, 2005 explores history, issues, processes and people, and types of campaigns. Covers the evolution of political campaigns; the political and regulatory environment of campaigning; the importance of the voters; key players in the campaign organization; key strategies and tactics; specific types of campaigns; and campaign and election reform.

Videos:

BookFlix

BookFlix is designed to help people who are learning to read or who are learning English. It\x92s collections houses 115 video storybooks. In its People and Places section, there is a video entitled "So You Want to Be President?" Also in its Celebrations section, there is a video along with a book on Election Day entitled "Duck for President."

Periodicals and Articles:

Academic OneFile - Political Science - Voting

Browse this section to find articles from academic journals and general interest magazines on Voting.

Other selected entries:
•  First Circuit holds that U.S. Constitution's failure to grant Puerto Rico voting rights in U.S. presidential elections does not violate U.S. treaty obligations
•  Hidden citizens: the courts and Native American voting rights in the Southwest
•  It's an election year
•  The constitutional structure of voting rights enforcement

Additional Resources:

USA.gov - Voting and Elections

Search the eLibraryUSA catalog for additional resources.

Contact Information and Date of Creation:

Guide by Christina Marquez (Office of American Spaces Intern). Last updated October 5, 2016.
Contact the eLibraryUSA Team.