At the federal level, what happens during a midterm election?
- Procedures regarding voter registration are determined.
-The president and vice president are elected.
- Candidates are nominated to run in the general election.
- All seats in the U.S. House of Representative and one-third of the seats in the U.S. Senate are up for election.
All of the above statements are true regarding what happens during a midterm election at the federal level. Here is a breakdown of each point:
- Procedures regarding voter registration are determined: Midterm elections often see changes or updates to voter registration procedures, including deadlines, requirements, and accessibility measures. These changes aim to ensure fair and equitable participation in the electoral process.
- The president and vice president are NOT elected: Midterm elections do not involve the election of the president and vice president. Those positions are up for election during presidential elections, which occur every four years.
- Candidates are nominated to run in the general election: Midterm elections feature the nomination process, during which political parties select candidates to represent them in the general election. Primaries and caucuses are held to determine the party's nominee in each district and state.
- All seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the seats in the U.S. Senate are up for election: Midterm elections impact the composition of Congress. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are contested, while one-third of the 100 seats in the Senate are up for election. This means that approximately 33 or 34 senatorial seats, depending on the election cycle, will be on the ballot. The outcome of these elections can significantly alter the balance of power in Congress.