Election facts for kids

Today, an election is picking one of several options (or candidates). This shows elections in Germany. The notice tells voters to "fold each ballot paper several times and hand it in separately".

Each of the folded papers is dropped into a box.

An election is a way people can choose their candidate or their preferences in a representative democracy or other form of government.

Most democratic countries hold new elections for their national legislature every few years, but this differs from country to country. Some democracies elect other national officials (such as a president). In others, these are appointed. Democratic countries also hold local (or municipal) elections. Some democracies have regional, provincial or state elections too.

There are different ways to organize an election in different countries. Voters might vote for an individual, or they might vote for a political party (party list). This is because different countries use different voting systems.

Countries that are not democracies can also hold elections. This is usually done to let the people choose a local representative (like a mayor). Also many countries call themselves democracies, but behind the scenes have a more autocratic form of government. Elections are done between the main person and the opposition.

Psephology is the study of elections.

Images for kids

A ballot box
Roman coin depicting election
A British election ballot paper, 1880
Campaigners working on posters in Milan, Italy, 2004
Voting in action in Australia; voters fill out their ballot papers in individual booths, with completed votes cast in the ballot box at left
Election Proceedings in Buenos Ayres: Voting under military protection (The Illustrated London News, 26 March 1892).
The Presidential Election in Argentina, the Polling-Station at the Church of La Merced, Buenos Ayres. "The rival voters were kept back by an armed force of police out of sight of each other, only batches of two ar three being allowed to enter the polling-office ata time. Armed sentries guarded the gates and the door leading to the office, and were also posted on the roofs of the adjoining houses and in the belfry and tower of the church." (G. Durand, The Graphic, 21 May 1892).