Today (11/8/11) is Election Day in the U.S. It's not always on November 8th, but it IS always on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. I know that sounds a bit odd, but that's how the law was set up. So next year it will be on November 6th. It is not a day off in Michigan, but in some states it is a civic holiday.
In even numbered years (like next year, 2012) there are elections for the federal offices of President and Congress (Representatives and Senators). Presidential elections are held every 4 years, in years divisible by 4; elections for Representatives and Senators are every two years. Representatives serve for 2 years; Senators serve for 6 years. Only one-third of the Senators are ever up for election at one time.
State and local governments usually elect officials in even numbered years but may do so in odd years.
Today, for example, in Ann Arbor, we were voting for members of the City Council, the School Board, and on some proposals to allow city tax money to be used for specific projects, like repairing bridges, roads, sidewalks.
So, next year it will be a very big and exciting Election Day because we will vote for President.
What questions do you have about elections or the government/political system in the U.S.?
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