1. Three levels of government
Federal government serves the whole nation. State governments serve each of the 50 states. Local governments — counties, cities, towns, school districts — serve your community. All three can appear on the same ballot.
Civic Compass · Lesson
American Government 101
How the pieces fit together — so the ballot in front of you makes sense.
About 5 minutes · read at your own pace
You will learn
- Three levels of government
- Three branches
- Offices you may vote for
- Primary, general and midterm elections
- Nonpartisan offices and ballot questions
2. Three branches
The legislative branch makes laws (Congress, state legislatures, city councils). The executive branch carries them out (President, governors, mayors). The judicial branch interprets them (courts). Each branch checks the others.
3. Offices you may vote for
Federal: President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative. State: governor, state legislators, sometimes judges and other statewide officers. Local: county, city, school board and others. Which offices appear depends on where you live and the year.
4. Primary, general and midterm elections
A primary narrows each party's field of candidates; rules for who may vote in a primary differ by state. A general election decides who takes office. A midterm is the general election held halfway through a presidential term, when Congress and many state offices are on the ballot.
5. Nonpartisan offices and ballot questions
Some offices, like many judges and school boards, are nonpartisan: no party label appears. Ballot questions (measures) let voters decide a proposal directly — read the official wording and what a YES and a NO each do.
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FFCNation does not endorse or oppose candidates. Information is presented from documented sources. How we source information