Americans - I am a Canadian lost in how you elect your President - help ?

Question

Here is seems pretty straight forward to me - but I was raised in it so I guess it would

1 Member of Parliament (MP) per riding -

1 MP represents about 100,000 people more or less

Anyone can run - from any party or as an independent

Party's have better chances than independents but it is still riding by riding - so there is a chance to become an MP as an independent

The biggest party - in the House of Commons - which is the lower chamber MP's sit is the government although all MP's are part of the governing of the nation - to a smaller degree obviously

The leader of the party is decided my MP's and members of that party who have the right to vote for the leadership conventions as a delegate

Who ever has the single most members elected is the government whoever leads that party is the Prime Minister or the First Minister

Out of 300 seats (more or less) is one party has less than 150 seats and is the biggest single party It is called a minority government because the other parties can out vote the government and "topple" it

A defeat in the "House" is called a non confidence vote .....the House has no confidence in the government The Prime Minister then goes to the Governor General and asks that person to "dissolve Parliament" and call an election

Ok how do you do yours ?

Answer 1

ever see American Idol? it's like that but without the talent.

Answer 2

Okay so.

Basically, each state gets a certain number of what are called "Electoral" votes. The larger the population of the state, the more electoral votes it gets. Basically, the citizens of each state cast their vote for whichever candidate they want to be president. Whichever candidate gets the most votes in each state, get's that states electoral votes. If most of California votes for McCain, then all of California's electoral votes go towards McCain. The candidate who has the most Electoral votes when it is all over it the next president. There are some exceptions and variances, but that is the most basic explanation I can give you that will help you grasp our electoral proccess.