Ballot Guide

An election for President of the United States happens every four years. The presidential election will be held on November 5, 2024. The President is the head of the United States federal government. They directly oversee all agencies of the executive branch of government and serve as the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces. 

The Vice President is elected alongside the President in the General Election. When you cast your vote for President, you are also voting for that candidate’s chosen Vice President. The Vice President serves as the president of the Senate and is responsible for casting tie-breaking votes. They also formally preside over the receiving and counting of electoral ballots cast in presidential elections.  A Vice President must be ready to assume the President's duties if the President is unable to perform their role at any time. 

Congress is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. These are 535 elected officials who are designated to serve their constituents’ needs and beliefs. Congress is also responsible for planning and crafting the federal budget, which includes funding for the military and federal departments. 

The Senate: There are 100 Senators, two for each state. Senators serve staggered six-year terms so that around one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years. Senators have the power to write, introduce, and pass legislation. Along with the House of Representatives, the Senate is in charge of creating and passing the federal budget. Senators also confirm federal judicial nominations. So, any judge or justice sitting in a federal courtroom is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Senators also confirm cabinet nominations made by the president. There are 33 Senate seats up for election in 2024. 

The House of Representatives: The House of Representatives has 435 members divided among all 50 states in proportion to their population. Members of the House are elected every two years. They have the power to write, introduce, and pass legislation that affects the whole country. There are 435 House seats up for election in 2024. 

Governor: Governors propose state budgets and work with state legislatures to pass legislation that affects people in their state. Governors generally have veto power over their state legislatures. They also have the power to declare states of emergency and make executive orders. There are 11 Gubernatorial Elections in 2024. 

Secretary of State: While the President appoints a federal Secretary of State, many states also elect their own. Duties vary widely across states but focus on the leadership of state elections. There are 7 Secretary of State elections in 2024. 

Attorney General: The Attorney General is the top legal advisor to the state government and acts as state’s chief law enforcement officer. There are 10 Attorney General elections in 2024. 

State Senators and Representatives: Each state in the United States has a legislature as part of its government. With the exception of Nebraska, all state legislatures are composed of a lower house (Assembly, General Assembly, State Assembly, House of Delegates, or House of Representatives) and an upper house (Senate). State senators represent their constituents in the state legislature, which functions differently in each state. They work with delegates and the governor to pass legislation and craft state budgets, which affect funding for schools, infrastructure, and health services. State delegates are representatives from districts across the state in the state legislature. They serve for different term lengths, depending on the state. They work with state senators and the governor to write, introduce, and pass legislation that affects everyone in the state. Additionally, they help craft and pass state budgets. The exact names, dates, term lengths, term limits, electoral systems, electoral districts, and other details are determined by an individual state’s laws. There are 44 states conducting legislative races in 2024. 

Local elections often make the most important impact on the day-to-day lives of residents.

Mayor: Mayors are elected to many different sizes of towns and cities and their roles vary based on the scope of power. Mayors serve cities in an executive capacity, working with the city council and city manager to pass legislation, approve budgets, and monitor public safety. Sometimes, mayors have the power to veto or overturn decisions and legislation passed by the city council. Mayors are usually the people who appoint police chiefs to manage law enforcement in the city.

County Executive: County executives oversee counties in an executive capacity. They work with the county council and other government officials to pass legislation and craft budgets. County executives may also have the power to declare states of emergency and make executive orders. If there is a county police department, county executives generally appoint the chief of police, who oversees law enforcement.

District Attorney: District attorneys are responsible for bringing charges against arrested people and prosecuting criminal cases in court. Depending on the jurisdiction they serve, district attorneys may also oversee other prosecutors or a full department of prosecutors and deputy district attorneys.

District Court Judges: District court judges oversee civil trials, criminal trials, and pre-trial proceedings. They also manage the selection of juries, the instructions jurors receive throughout a trial, pleas in criminal cases, and sentencing the defendant if a trial results in a conviction.

City or Town Council: City and town councils function as governing bodies. Councilmembers at different levels of local jurisdiction serve as legislative bodies for their cities, towns, and counties. The write and introduce legislation, vote on bills and resolutions, and evaluate budgets. They work together, generally passing bills and resolutions by voting.

School Board: School boards oversee and manage public school districts’ affairs, personnel, and properties. They are elected by the residents of its school district. 

Ballot Measures: Ballot measures are sometimes called “propositions” and are meant as a way to enact new legislation or redefine current laws.