Campaign Financing & America’s Evolving Election System

Free and fair elections are a hallmark of American democracy. Routinely, however, voter turnout is low and understanding of the electoral process poor. Local election jurisdictions oversee voting in a highly decentralised and complex effort that more often than not occurs problem-free. In the wake of the 2000 presidential elections, though, the American voting system has come to be re-examined, with emphasis on such areas as voter registration lists, absentee balloting, varied local election standards and equipment, and the questionable necessity and means of determining voter intent . Congress has begun to explore changes to a more nationally controlled system, having taken up legislation to reform the electoral process. With such intense focus on the nation’s democratic cornerstone, this book presents a needed and thorough overview of the process of electing government officials in the United States as well as funding for campaigns.