CEN TER
FOR
LE G I S LA T I VE
S TUDIES
American State-Centric Election System
Offices, Schedule, Election System, and Nominating Methods
Office
Schedule
Election
System
Nomination
Methods
Every 4 years
2000, 2004, 2008,
etc.
Plurality each state
Electoral college
majority
Most states, primary
elections
National party
convention
Every 2 years
2006, 2008, 2010,
etc.
435 SMD
Plurality
6 year terms
1/3 every 2 years
2006, 2008, 2010,
etc.
2 for each 50 states
Plurality
Most states, primary
elections
Plurality, most
states with primaries
Same as House of
Representatives
Most states, plurality
SMD plurality
Same as House
Representatives
President
Congress
House of
Representatives
Senate
States
Every 4 years
Usually in
“midterm” election
State-wide offices
State legislature
2 or 4 year terms
Varies by state
Municipalities
Many are
“nonpartisan”
2 or 4 year terms
Each on own
schedule
At-Large and SMD
Plurality
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
237 Graham Building, Post Office Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 Telephone 1 (336) 334-4360 Fax 1 (336) 334-4315