It’s rare in human history to be able to choose one’s leaders. And even more rare to be able to choose different leaders on an expected schedule. So, it’s exceptional that the United States and other healthy democracies around the world regularly hold free and fair elections and have done so many years.
Since the first presidential election, held from December 1788 to January 1789, Americans have regularly chosen leaders for all levels of government. While only a small subset of people could cast ballots in early America, courageous patriots fought throughout our nation’s history to expand that opportunity to ensure that all citizens are able to vote.
The U.S. Constitution makes clear in Article 1, Section 4 that the time, place, and manner of holding elections is the prerogative of the states, more specifically, the state legislatures. It also allows for Congress to make amendments. There is no role for the United States President in the process, a very important aspect of state rights in our federal system.
The purpose of elections in America is to elect leaders and to vote on policy initiatives. Elections reflect the priorities of the people, making them sacrosanct to American democracy. Elections always derive a winner and a loser, and our history is filled with examples of peaceful transitions of power and policy changes despite hard fought campaigns.
The peaceful transition of power to the next duly elected figure, regardless of party or affiliation, is a crucial element in a free and fair election. Once citizens safely and freely vote their conscience without coercion, political candidates must accept the results of the election – the voice of the people.
U.S. elections continue to be well run, free, and fair, thanks to the many election officials and poll workers around the country. This important group retains their own right to vote, but they must keep their election work separate from their own political desires.
Elections are where we see that democracy truly is a verb. We should all exercise our right to vote, protect our fellow citizens who work as election officials and poll workers, and work to uphold the integrity of our election system.
Democracy is a verb.
Follow the George W Bush Institute’s Democracy is a Verb series
Links to Other Content
Statement by President Bush following January 6 Attack on US Capitol
Reimagining American Democracy: The Vote
Reimagining American Democracy: Elections
Elections are the Oxygen of Democracy
