US Election 2012 - Latest on the presidential race

USA Votes 2012

Young Voters Could Again Play Key Role in US Election

Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks at a rally in Fishersville, Virginia, October 4, 2012.

Political Movies Aim to Influence Voters

Two new documentaries, one conservative and the other liberal, are trying to discredit the presidential candidate of the opposite camp More

Young Voters Could Again Play Key Role in US Election

Both Obama and Romney campaigns are reaching out to voters between the ages of 18 and 29 More

Obama, Romney Spar Over Lower Jobless Numbers

Report released Friday says unemployment rate fell to 7.8 percent in September More

On the Record

What have the people vying for the White House said about your country? What statements have they made on hot-button issues like the economy, immigration or Iran?

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Scenes From the Campaign Trail

U.S. voters will go to the polls to elect a president on November 6. With a little over one month to go before the election both candidates are working to influence the undecided and keep voters engaged in the process.

More Election News

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney speaks at a campaign rally in Fishersville, Virginia October 4, 2012.

Re-Energized, Romney Heads to Battleground States

Republican presidential hopeful hopes to capitalize on strong debate performance against President Obama

Pasengers wait for a bus outside one of the discount bus companies in the Chinatown neighborhood of New York, March 14, 2012.

Asian Americans Undecided Between Obama, Romney

Pew Research Center said earlier this year they have overtaken Hispanics as the largest group of new immigrants arriving in the US every year

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney (l) debates President Barack Obama at the University of Denver, Oct. 3, 2012, in Denver

Truth Slippery at US Presidential Debate

Fact-checkers have found errors in both candidates' remarks

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, smiles as he speaks to advisers and staff members on his campaign plane in Denver, October 4, 2012.

Romney Seeks to Build on Debate Performance

Strong showing provides lift to Republican challenger, while president and team signal tougher upcoming approach in upcoming debates

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama talk after the first presidential debate at the University of Denver, Oct. 3, 2012, in Denver.

Analysts: US Presidential Debate a 'Game Changer'

Strong debate performance by Republican candidate Mitt Romney may breathe new life into his campaign to unseat President Barack Obama

President Barack Obama answers a question posed by moderator Jim Lehrer as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney listens during the first presidential debate at the University of Denver, Oct. 3, 2012, in Denver.

Debate Speak: A Big Night for Policy Wonks and Big Bird Fans

Experts decode terms like 'entitlements,' 'corporate welfare' and 'Dodd-Frank'

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks at a Colorado Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) meeting in Denver, Oct. 4, 2012.

US Viewers Say Romney Won Debate

Overnight polls say 67 percent believe Republican challenger won, compared to only 25 percent who say President Obama came out on top

This combination of file pictures shows Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) and US President Barack Obama (R)

China Becomes Campaign Issue for Obama, Romney

Beijing counters rhetoric by noting that winning candidate will realize need to cooperate with China, the world's second largest economy

President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event at Sloan

Obama , Romney Return to Campaign Trail

President works to recover from a debate performance that disappointed many of his supporters

Presidential Debate Brings Political Theater to Denver

Denver University hosts 'Debate Fest' which includes performances, social media mash-up and opportunities to opine about who won the night

Obama, Romney Face Off in First Debate

President, Republican challenger sparred on economy, health care and role of US government in daily lives of Americans

Political Cartoonists Worried About Future

With the newspaper industry shrinking, it is getting harder for cartoonists to make a living

A television camera man works during a rehearsal at the Magness Arena at the University of Denver on Oct. 2, 2012, where the first presidential debate will take place.

High Stakes Debate for Obama and Romney

Polls show president with slim lead as he faces off on domestic issues with his Republican challenger in first televised debate

Poll Numbers

Margin of error +/-2 percentage points

What is the Electoral College?

Established in the Constitution as a compromise between election of the president by a vote in Congress and a popular vote of qualified citizens
Consists of 538 electors, 270 electoral votes are required to be president
Each state is allotted the number of electors determined by the Constitution
When people vote in the election they are voting for their candidate’s electors in their state
Most states have a winner-take-all system for electors
The electors meet in December to vote for president and vice president
Those votes are counted in Congress on Jan. 6

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Young Voters Could Again Play Key Role in US Election

President Barack Obama has said young voters were crucial to his victory over Republican John McCain in 2008. In 2008, they turned out in record numbers. Four years later, enthusiasm on college campuses for the contest between Obama and Republican Mitt Romney seems less visible. But as VOA's Cindy Saine reports, both campaigns are reaching out to voters between the ages of 18 and 29.

How America Elects

Presidential Debates Meant to Persuade Undecided Voters
Debates between presidential candidates have become pre-election fixture in United States More
Party Conventions Formalize Nomination of Presidential Candidates
Gatherings follow procedures that formally select each party’s presidential candidate. More
Vice Presidential Picks Part of US Election Strategies
One of several important factors for a vice presidential candidate is to know how Washington actually functions More
Internet, Social Media Prominent in US Presidential Race
Facebook, Twitter, Google and other mediums have evolved into critical two-way forms of political communication More
'Identity Politics' Play a Role in US Elections
Political process taps into self-identification as a means of motivating voters More
PACs Boosted by Supreme Court Ruling
While some decry Supreme Court's decisions, rise of Super PACS, others say both parties have equal opportunities to raise money More
How America Elects - Winning Party's Nomination Takes Winning Delegates
To run for US president, candidates must first campaign state by state to win support of members of their respective political parties More
US Presidential Race Is Hugely Expensive, Highly Regulated
Democrats, Republicans, are locked in enormous fundraising effort that escalates with every presidential election More
How We Vote: Registration as Party Strategy
Electoral registration considered essential part of political party strategies More
US Republican Candidate Debates Define Positions
Republican Party's presidential candidates confronting each other in debates gives voters a sense of where they stand on critical issues More
Two Parties Have Dominated US Politics for 150 Years
The Democratic and Republican parties have controlled the White House and Congress for one-and-a-half centuries. More
Primary Balloting Sets Stage for US Presidential Election
The next stop for the US Republican Party candidates is the primary election in New Hampshire More