Political Elections

When it comes to politics, men tend to dominate, with women accounting for only about 10 percent of government leaders internationally. Which female politicians have trail-blazed a path to close that gender gap?

By Cristen Conger

All they had to do was sit back and count the votes. They thought they had the presidential election in the bag -- until they didn't. Here's our list of some of the biggest collapses in presidential campaign history.

By Dave Roos

The use of political attack ads -- those that focus on rivals' shortfalls rather than preferred candidates' achievements -- has shot up in recent years. These negative ads may leave a bad taste in voters' mouths, but are they effective?

By Cristen Conger

Presidential debates aren't really known for their fireworks, but these off-the-cuff moments definitely made sparks fly.

By Dave Roos

Historically in the United States, third parties have successfully steered political discourse and lawmaking, yet largely haven't stuck around long enough to get their own candidates into office. Which have had the best shot?

By Cristen Conger

The probability of a single vote actually making a difference in a presidential election is one in 60 million. With those kinds of odds, what keeps people going out to the polls?

By Cristen Conger

Lobbying has a long and storied history in American politics, but does it also deserve the bad rap it's taken for so long?

By Dave Roos

For years, pollsters and pundits have puzzled over how U.S. adults decide to cast their votes. Party affiliations and personal stances on electoral issues have a lot to do with it, of course, but does gender play a role, too?

By Cristen Conger

Campaign ads are designed to grab voters' attention, but what if an ad attracts eyeballs for all the wrong reasons? Here are five of the most offensive campaign ads ever produced.

By Dave Roos

Do you remember boring campaign ads? Of course not. That's why campaigns spend millions of dollars to send messages to voters. Here are five ads that worked -- and that's why we remember them.

By Dave Roos

If the news is any indication, Americans have officially caught recall fever. Why (and how) are everyday voters taking the extraordinary step of recalling officials they've already elected to their posts?

By Dave Roos

Almost every day it seems like there is a new poll out tracking the president's performance or some political issue. But who selects the people who respond to these polls? And can you trust the numbers?

By Dave Roos

Sarah Palin has one, and comedian Stephen Colbert does too. But what exactly is a Super PAC, and how will they affect future elections?

By Chris Warren

The vice presidency was originally a consolation prize given to the runner-up in the national election. More than two centuries later, the role of vice president is little more respected among the public than it was in the beginning.

By Josh Clark

When the framers of the Constitution considered an executive branch, they were still stinging from the despotic rule of King George III. But, they saw the need for a single person to lead. Enter the president of the United States.

By Josh Clark & Melanie Radzicki McManus

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?

By Josh Clark

Would you be more willing to vote if you could sidestep the nuisances of finding the correct polling location and standing in line for hours increase voter participation? E-voting could make it possible.

By Kevin Bonsor & Jonathan Strickland

Instead of "Democrat or Republican," the more pressing question has become "accurate count or complete debacle?" With e-voting, the entire setup is electronic, not just the actual casting of the vote.

By Julia Layton

In an election year, political conventions take over the U.S. media, with political-party platforms and propaganda. But what real purpose do the conventions serve? And have they outlived their usefulness?

By Ed Grabianowski & Kathryn Whitbourne

A caucus, like a primary, is held to determine the party's nomination for president. Those candidates face their first big test during the Iowa caucuses. Why is it such an unusual piece of the election process?

While the U.S. has no draft currently, it does require military registration via the Selective Service System. What does that mean and what would happen if a draft was reinstated?

By Tom Harris & Sydney Murphy

The Electoral College is not an Ivy League school. Rather, it's a process for selecting the next U.S. president that actually carries more weight than the popular vote. Why is it there and should it be continued?

By Kevin Bonsor & Laurie L. Dove

In the U.S. presidential election system, the Electoral College plays an extremely important role in determining who the next president will be. Learn about the Electoral College system in this article.

State dinners are hosted by the president of the United States to honor a visiting head of state -- kings, queens, presidents or head of a government. How do you prepare for a state dinner?

By Melissa Russell-Ausley