Do special interest groups hurt candidates?

Some special interest groups exist solely to level negative attacks at political candidates. How do these groups work? And can they be stopped?

How Barack Obama Works

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is one of the two leading candidates for the Democratic nomination for president. How did he get here, and how has his political career worked up until now?

How can someone tamper with an electronic voting machine?

With electronic voting, the entire setup is electronic, not just the actual casting of the vote. Learn how someone can tamper with an electronic voting machine.

How do caucuses work?

Presidential candidates face their first big test during the Iowa caucuses. Our primer explains the strange workings of this unusual piece of the election process.

How E-voting Works

Imagine logging into a computer terminal and, with a couple of quick clicks, exercising your Constitutional right to cast your vote in a federal election. Learn all about e-voting.

How Hillary Clinton Works

Hillary Clinton is locked in a battle with Barack Obama for the Democratic Party nomination for president. How did she arrive at this point, and what has she pledged to accomplish if she's elected?

How John McCain Works

A former naval aviator and prisoner of war in Vietnam, Arizona Sen. John McCain is the Republican front-runner for the White House. How have his life experiences affect him? And what will he do if he's elected?

How lame is a lame-duck president?

Once a president reaches the end of a second term, everyone begins looking for his or her successor. How much influence do so-called lame ducks wield?

How Political Primaries Work

Presidential primaries let the voters choose who they want to represent their political party for president. But not everyone is happy with the process. What are the problems, and can they be fixed?

How Presidential Debates Work

In honor of last night's debate, we dip into the archives. Four years ago, our founder Marshall Brain scored an invite to one of the Gore - Bush debates. See what it's like to be in the audience!

How State Dinners Work

In this article, we'll take a peek into the historic North Carolina Executive Mansion and see the mansion staff's behind-the-scenes preparations for an executive state dinner.

How the Electoral College Works

As we learned in the 2000 presidential election, the electoral college plays a huge role in the election process. Learn how the electoral college works!

How the Swing States Work

Political strategy in an election year gives war-time strategy a run for its money. The rules, calculations and assumptions that determine a candidate's campaign path center on the core of the battlefield: the swing states. What exactly are swing states?

What are superdelegates?

Before the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign, relatively few people had heard of superdelegates. What role will these powerful politicians play in the Democratic nomination? And what makes a superdelegate so super anyway?

Why is the Iowa caucus so important?

The state of Iowa holds the first presidential nominating contest when it hosts its caucuses every four years. If all states have primaries, why does Iowa mean so much?