Representatives often work in their state capital.
In democratic governments, people elect representatives who protect and serve their interests and needs. Representatives make it logistically easier for large groups to complete tasks, since only a few members of a population need to be present for debates and votes. The process of electing a representative is not complex but does involve multiple steps.
Getting on the Ballot
The representative election process begins when people who want to run get their name on the primary election ballot. To do this, a person either has to be a major representative of a political party (this automatically puts her name on the ballot), be selected under guidelines for minor parties or get a set number of party members to sign a petition.
Whoever wins the primary gets put on the ballot for the general election. A primary thus thins out the pool of potential representatives. There may not always be a primary; candidates may enter the general election through nomination by other party members. In these cases, a potential candidate has the right to accept or reject the nomination.
The General Election
The next step after a primary is the general election. The process is pretty much the same as in a primary. However, in a primary election, party members decide which candidate they want to support. In a general election, all registered voters can participate, regardless of party affiliation. The winners of the general election thus represent multiple parties, even though they may have their own party affiliation.
Representative-Elect
Once the general election is over, the winner has to wait until the previous representative finishes his term. The winner is thus called the representative-elect, a title that acknowledges that the candidate has been voted into office but has not yet assumed a representative's duties.
Special Elections
In some cases, it may be necessary to hold emergency elections to fill an office. For example, if a representative dies suddenly, a special election may be held. However, most governing bodies have safeguards in place that name individuals who will assume the duties of the representative in such circumstances. For example, if the president of the United States cannot fulfill his obligations, the vice president takes over until the next election.
Terms
Most representatives serve under term limits and schedules, which means there is a set amount of time between elections and the representative cannot hold office more than a specified number of times. For example, members of the House of Representatives serve two years, senators serve six years and the president can't serve for more than two consecutive terms (eight years).
Tags: representative, elected, general election, party members, election process, general election, more than, party affiliation, primary election, serve years
