Election
Definition
A formal process in which citizens vote to choose their representatives in government.
Explanation
Elections are the primary mechanism through which citizens participate in democracy. In the US, presidential elections occur every 4 years, congressional elections every 2 years. In the UK, general elections must be held at least every 5 years. In Canada, federal elections occur at least every 4 years. In Australia, federal elections are held at least every 3 years, and voting is compulsory. Election systems vary: the US and UK use first-past-the-post voting, while Australia uses preferential voting and Canada uses first-past-the-post at the federal level.
Why this matters for your test
Know how often elections are held in your country, who can vote, and the basic voting process.
Frequently asked questions
What does Election mean?
A formal process in which citizens vote to choose their representatives in government. Elections are the primary mechanism through which citizens participate in democracy. In the US, presidential elections occur every 4 years, congressional elections every 2 years. In the UK, general elections must be held at least every 5 years. In Canada, federal elections occur at least every 4 years. In Australia, federal elections are held at least every 3 years, and voting is compulsory. Election systems vary: the US and UK use first-past-the-post voting, while Australia uses preferential voting and Canada uses first-past-the-post at the federal level.
Why is Election important for the citizenship test?
Know how often elections are held in your country, who can vote, and the basic voting process.
How might Election appear on the test?
Expect a multiple-choice question that either asks for the definition of Election, or asks you to identify it from a short scenario. Practising real exam-style questions is the fastest way to lock the term in.
Source: General civics terminology
