Election is the process by which citizens select who will govern them. It is an essential part of democracy, as it allows citizens to hold their leaders accountable and ensures that those who rule do so with the consent of the people. Elections take place at a variety of levels, from local to national. They can be categorized by the level of government, the issue being voted on, and the way in which the vote is taken.

For example, a local election may only involve one city ward or election district, while a national election could have voters from all over the country participating. Elections can also be regulated by who is eligible to vote, with most countries requiring citizens of the age of majority or older to participate. Similarly, some countries only permit members of a particular religion to vote, or exclude certain groups like prisoners.

The most significant elections are those that determine the head of state. For example, the US has a Presidential election every four years and Congressional elections are held in two-year cycles. The US Constitution requires that whoever receives the most votes nationally will win the presidency, but the way in which votes are counted differs from state to state. In the US, most states edict that the winner of their statewide popular vote will receive all of their electoral votes (known as ‘winner-takes-all’). Some states and parties have laws or pledges that require electors to vote for the winning candidate, and those who do not are known as ‘faithless’ electors.