First of all, our elections now take place only on one day. That particular election took place from a monday December 15th 1788 to Saturday January 10th 1789. It was the only election that ever took place that was partially in a year that wasn't a multiple of 4. In the election George Washington was unanimously elected for the office of President, and John Adams was the vice president. Basically there was not a formal election- individual states chose who they were going to send to elect the President, and when they all met together they unanimously voted for Washington. The total number of electoral votes was 69.
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1796 was the first contested election. George Washington unanimouly won the first two elections, but in 1796, there were two parties with different ideas as to how the federal government should operate.
The election of 1796 marked the emergence of the political party system in the United States.
The Presidential elections of 1796 were the third quadrennial elections. It was the first time that president and vice president were selected from opposing parties.
The public "votes for President" in November, but they are actually electing members to the electoral college in that election. The electoral college casts the votes for President (and Vice President) in December.
US presidential elections are held in November of years divisible by 4. The next one will be in 2012. (There are also primary elections held at different times in different states before the actual election, for the purpose of choosing nominees )
In the first elections, the person with the most votes was elected president, with the runner-up becoming vice-president, regardless of party. Also at?æthe beginning, senators were not directly elected by the people.?æ
presidential primary elections and caucuses is one of the first steps in the process of electing the President of the United States of America. The primary elections are run by state and local governments, while caucuses are private events run by the political parties