USA elections 2014

You may have heard about elections in the US recently. It sort of passed us by, as we didn't really understand the system, or whether it was national, state or local elections. But I did a bit of research, and here are my notes on the US Congress. This isn't all people voted on, I still have to work out what was voted on locally, because we were encouraged to vote on things like sheriffs and comptrollers, but this is a start. I also haven't gotten to learning about the two rounds of voting, and registering as a certain party voter, or why the Republican Party is also called the GOP and represented by an elephant in political cartoons (I think). There is still time!

Elections seem to be very low key in that I think only about 20% ish of Americans vote?! I would be very happy to be corrected on that, as it is a bit scary to think that the majority of the country apparently doesn't care who is in charge or doesn't feel like their vote matters, but that is what seems to be the case.

2014 election called Mid-Term election, as it didn’t coincide with a presidential election. Presidential elections are in November 2016.

United States House of Representatives – 435 seats set by law, 2 year term, number of reps per state based on census data (ie, California = 53 reps, Alaska = 1). Maryland has 8 representatives. Called The House for short.

Passes federal legislation (which must also be passed by Senate, and agreed to by US President). Can also impeach, initiate revenue bills, and elect US President if there is no majority in the ‘Electoral College’.

Speaker of house voted in by members, so usually member of majority party.

United States Senate – 100 seats, 2 per state. 6 year term BUT – staggered elections – Senate divided into Class 1, 2 and 3, and a class of senators is up for election every two years. This was set by founders, to prevent senators getting too comfortable (and corrupt) in the 6 year term. 2014 was electing Class 2 senators. (Maryland = Class 1 senators, so not up for re-election until Nov 2018. Term starts following January.

Consents to treaties as precondition to ratification

Consents/confirms appointments of Cabinet Secretaries, federal judges, other federal executive officials, military officers, regulatory officieals, ambassadors and other federal uniformed officers

Trial of impeached federal officials.

Considered more deliberative and more prestigious – less partisan

As a result of the 2014 election, the Republican Party have control over both the House and the Senate, which is going to be interesting for President Obama.