Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, left, and vice presidential nominee Joe Biden wave to fellow Democrats at the party's 2008 convention.

Welcome to the 2012 Elections page from U.S. Embassy Jakarta! 2012 is a presidential election year, which means the American people will elect the next American president.

In America, elections take place at the federal, state, and local government levels. All federal elections occur in even-numbered years, like this year, while state and local elections can occur in even- or odd-numbered years.

Every four years, Americans elect a president and vice president. Every two years, Americans elect all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and approximately one-third of the 100 members of the U.S. Senate. Senators serve staggered terms of six years each.

The United States relies on a complex federal system of government, where the national government is central but state and local governments exercise authority over matters that are not reserved for the federal government. State and local governments have varying degrees of independence in how they organize elections within their jurisdictions, but they hold frequent and well-administered elections.

Types of Elections

A primary election is a nominating election in which the field of candidates that will run in the general election is chosen. Victory in a primary usually results in a candidate being nominated or endorsed by a political party for the general election.

A general election is an election held to choose among candidates nominated in a primary (or by convention, caucus or petition) for federal, state and/or local office. The purpose of a general election is to make a final choice among the various candidates who have been nominated by parties or who are running as independents (not affiliated with a major political party) or, in some cases, write-in candidates. Measures such as proposed legislation (referendums), bond issues (approving the borrowing of money for public projects) and other mandates on government also can be placed on the ballot.