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November 04, 2024
Why are US federal elections always held on a Tuesday? The history behind weekday selection

Have you ever wondered why America’s presidential elections always fall on a Tuesday? The tradition stretches back almost 200 years to a time when the U.S. looked very different from how it does today.
November 03, 2024
How America’s first election paved the way

The first United States presidential election took place between 1788 and 1789, with only 10 states participating and a winner that was preordained. Nevertheless, it created a tradition that has continued to this day.
November 02, 2024
Georgia 2024: Inside a critical battleground state

Georgia appeared to be on track to elect former U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the 2024 presidential campaign when President Joe Biden was still in the race. But Vice President Kamala Harris has put the state back into play for Democrats.
November 01, 2024
Most Americans can vote before Election Day

More than 300,000 people in the state of Georgia cast their ballots for U.S. president on the first day of voting in the battleground state. These people were among the millions of Americans who are eligible to vote before Election Day, November 5.
October 31, 2024
Why do Maine and Nebraska split their electoral votes?

Two U.S. states have an Electoral College practice that could impact the upcoming election and explain why Democrats and Republicans have focused on campaigning in Maine and Nebraska. VOA explores why.
October 30, 2024
Naturalized citizens to play a bigger role in 2024 election

Naturalized immigrants will make up 1/10th of all Americans eligible to vote in 2024. What impact might they have on the election?
October 30, 2024
How autoworkers, Arab Americans and Black voters could swing 2024 race

Michigan is considered one of seven key swing states that will likely decide the outcome of the 2024 presidential race. Although President Joe Biden won Michigan for Democrats in 2020, several factors have made a repeat Democratic victory there anything but certain.
October 30, 2024
Some of the most bizarre moments from US political history

The run-up to the 2024 U.S. election has been full of twists and turns but, believe it or not, stranger things have happened in U.S. election history. From incarcerated candidates to electoral mayhem, America has seen it all.
October 29, 2024
Unpacking the difference between the Electoral College and the popular vote

Americans go to the polls November 5 to choose the next U.S. president. However, the national vote tally does not determine which candidate wins the White House. The Electoral College has the final say. But how does this work?
October 28, 2024
Pennsylvania: The state that could decide it all

In the U.S., where presidential elections are decided by electoral votes apportioned to states, Pennsylvania is regarded as the biggest prize. As it often has in the past, the state could ultimately decide the winner in this year's race.
October 26, 2024
Unpacking America's urban-rural divide

Cities favoring Democrats and rural areas favoring Republicans isn’t new. But since 2000, the gap between urban and rural voters has grown dramatically. What is behind this trend? The answer is part economic, part cultural. Produced by Yass Monem and Nicky Woolf.
October 23, 2024
Eligible Latino voters reach record numbers in 2024

With a record number of Latino voters eligible for the 2024 election, their influence will likely be felt more than previous elections. Examining how this group shaped past elections in key battlegrounds across the country offers clues about how Latinos might impact the race.
October 22, 2024
Where have all the bellwether counties gone?

From 1980 to 2016, 19 US counties voted for the presidential winner every time
October 21, 2024
North Carolina: A key battleground state in 2024 US election

North Carolina has emerged as an important battleground state since Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket in the 2024 election.
October 15, 2024
Millions who don't cast ballots on Nov. 5 are still voting in US election

The 2024 U.S. election allows Americans to have their voices heard. But what if they can’t reach the polls on November 5? Luckily, there’s more than one way to vote — here are all the options. Written and produced by Yass Monem and Tamara Davison.
October 14, 2024
How Republican-leaning Arizona became a swing state

There are 50 U.S. states, but voters from seven so-called battleground states are expected to determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. The Southwestern state of Arizona used to reliably lean toward Republican candidates. But President Joe Biden, a Democrat, won the state in 2020.
October 09, 2024
Razor-thin margins: Why Wisconsin is crucial in the 2024 presidential race

Wisconsin, a Midwestern U.S. state known for its dairy farms and beer production, has emerged as a crucial battleground in the 2024 presidential election. With a history of extremely close races, Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes could determine who becomes the next president.
September 29, 2024
Understanding political polls: From history to interpretation

During any campaign, it is crucial that voters and candidates have a way to measure the state of public opinion. Polling — surveying representative samples of the electorate — allows everyone to understand and adapt to prevailing sentiments. But it has its flaws.
September 26, 2024
Why are politicians called lame ducks?

Joe Biden is said to be entering the lame-duck period of his presidency, but what does that mean?
September 24, 2024
What is the Electoral College?

One of the more confusing parts of the U.S. electoral system is that presidents are not elected through direct popular vote but through a mechanism called the Electoral College. Here’s how it works.

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