Presidential elections in the USA

Jane Snow (18) will take part in the elections of the President next year. But her vote isn’t a direct one. Anyone who is an American citizen, at least 18 years of age, and is registered to vote may vote. In November voters in each state give their votes for candidates. Before voting in November every citizen must register in accordance with the laws of his/her state. This gives the electors the right to participate in «primaries». The US constitution guarantees every citizen the right to vote but the states with the help of numerous qualifications deprive many people of this right.

The national presidential elections really consist of two separate campaigns: one is for the nomination of candidates at national party conventions. The other is to win the actual election. The nominating race is a competition between members of the same party. They run in a succession of state primaries and caucuses. The party convention then votes to select the party’s official candidate for the presidency. In November of the election year the voters across the nation go to the polls. If the majority of the popular votes in a state go to the Presidential (and vice- presidential) candidate of one party, then that person is supposed to get all of that state’s «electoral votes». The candidate with the largest number of these electoral votes wins the election. In January of the following year the new President and Vice-President are officially announced.

II. Answer the following questions.

1. Which American citizens may vote?

2. Is electing the President a simple or a long and complicated affair?

3. What parts does the national presidential election consist of?

4. How is the candidate for presidency selected?

5. Who becomes President?

6. When are the new President and Vice-President officially announced?

III. Translate the text.

IV. Grammar tasks.

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