Elections of usa. Elections in the United States

Voting methods[edit]

Voting systems used in each state:
  First past the post (FPTP)
  Two-round system (TRS)
  Instant-runoff voting (IRV)
  Louisiana primary
  Nonpartisan blanket primary and top two runoff general
  Nonpartisan blanket primary and top four instant-runoff general
The most common method used in U.S. elections is the first-past-the-post system, where the highest-polling candidate wins the election.^[3] Under this system, a candidate only requires a plurality of votes to win, rather than an outright majority. Some may use a two-round system, where if no candidate receives a required number of votes then there is a runoff between the two candidates with the most votes.^{[citation needed]}
Since 2002, several cities have adopted instant-runoff voting in their elections. Voters rank the candidates in order of preference rather than voting for a single candidate. If a candidate secures more than half of votes cast, that candidate wins. Otherwise, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Ballots assigned to the eliminated candidate are recounted and assigned to those of the remaining candidates who rank next in order of preference on each ballot. This process continues until one candidate wins by obtaining more than half the votes.^{[citation needed]} In 2016, Maine became the first state to adopt instant-runoff voting (known in the state as ranked-choice voting) statewide for its elections, although due to state constitutional provisions, the system is only used for federal elections and state primaries.
Eligibility[edit]
Main article: Voting rights in the United States
The eligibility of an individual for voting is set out in the constitution and also regulated at state level. The constitution states that suffrage cannot be denied on grounds of race or color, sex, or age for citizens eighteen years or older. Beyond these basic qualifications, it is the responsibility of state legislatures to regulate voter eligibility. Some states ban convicted criminals, especially felons, from voting for a fixed period of time or indefinitely.^[4] The number of American adults who are currently or permanently ineligible to vote due to felony convictions is estimated to be 5.3 million.^[5] Some states also have legacy constitutional statements barring those legally declared incompetent from voting; such references are generally considered obsolete and are being considered for review or removal where they appear.^[6] An additional 4.3 million American citizens lack the right to vote in Congressional elections because they reside in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories that are not parts of any of the 50 U.S. states.^[7]