We explained it to you a few days ago in this video straight from Colorado: the vote in France has little to do with that which takes place in the United States. Because if we are used to deciding on a single issue at a time (admittedly with several candidates), the Americans, for their part, make a global “package”. Their ballot paper is in reality a sort of giant MCQ where the presidential election is only part of the puzzle.
Here are the subjects on which they will be called to vote on Tuesday in addition to the race for the White House.
The Congress
On presidential election day, American voters are also entitled to “legislative” elections by voting for Congress (which is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate).
In the House of Representatives, the 435 seats will be renewed for a two-year term, until the midterms. The Republicans are currently leading by a narrow margin.
In the Senate, we will renew 34 of the 100 seats for a six-year term. The Democrats have a majority of just one vote, and they will have to defend two-thirds of the positions at stake on Tuesday.
The governors
Of the 50 American states, 11 will elect new governors next Tuesday. A position that confers vast power beyond the prerogatives of the federal government.
Referendums
Among the societal issues that voters will focus on, we of course find the right to abortion. Ten states will ask their residents to vote on its guarantee. And in half of the cases (Florida, Arizona, Nebraska, Missouri, South Dakota), the result could mean concrete change.
All our information on the 2024 American presidential election
Dozens of other referendums will be held across the country. One will focus in particular on the electoral system and the adoption of RCV, “ranked-choice voting”. Instead of nominating a candidate, it's about giving a list of your favorites. Another question asked in certain territories: should we allow non-Americans to vote in local elections?
In California, the penalties incurred for thefts will be put on the table. Elsewhere, it will be the legalization of cannabis, the authorization of therapeutic mushrooms or access to natural gas. In Colorado, voters will or will not ban “trophy hunting” – mountain lions or lynx. And in Maine, they'll decide if they want to change the flag.
Local elections
And if that wasn't enough, voters will also have to choose who will inherit thousands of positions at the local level. These concern state legislatures, judges, mayors, city councils, counties and even sheriffs' offices (we'll vote for Bill for that one).
