Running for office

Elections are held regularly for President of the US, for both houses of Congress and for state and local government offices. Candidates usually run for office with the support of one of the two main political parties, the Republicans or the Democrats. Anyone who wants to run as an independent can organize a petition and ask people to sign it. Some people run as write-incandidates: they ask voters to add their name to the ballot (= list of candidates) when they vote.

During an election campaign candidates try to achieve name recognition (= making their names widely known) by advertising on television, in newspapers, and on posters in public places. They take part in debates and hold rallies where they give speeches and go round 'pressing the flesh', shaking hands with as many voters as possible. A candidate is helped by campaign workers. In the last few weeks before an election, these workers concentrate on 'GOTV' (get out to vote), which involves reminding members of their party to vote.

Election campaigning is very expensive, and the candidate with most money has a big advantage. There are laws limiting the amount of money candidates may take from any one person or group but, except in presidential campaigns, there is no limit to the total that can be spent. In a medium-sized state, a candidate for the Senate might spend ten million dollars on the campaign.