ELECTIONS

President Obama departing the White House on January 20, 2016.

Here’s When a President’s Term Officially Ends

Inauguration Day isn’t just a matter of scheduling—presidential term limits are exactly four years, down to the hour.

If the Polls Close While You’re Still in Line to Vote, Don’t Leave

What do you do if you’re stuck at the back of the line when your polling place closes? You stay right where you are.

There are actually multiple versions of this iconic sticker.

A Brief but Fascinating History of the ‘I Voted’ Sticker

The origins of those ‘I Voted’ stickers you see everyone rocking on Election Day go back to the 1950s in the United States, but the design everyone recognizes most was created by Janet Boudreau in the late 1980s.

Something to think about while you’re casting your ballot.

Why Do We Vote in November?

There were some very compelling reasons for choosing the first Tuesday in November as Election Day—at least, they were when that date was chosen.

Some of these presidents were well versed in October surprises.

Where Did the Term ‘October Surprise’ Originate?

Its political legacy began during the Iran hostage crisis, but other kinds of October surprises had been happening for decades.

Margaret Chase Smith and Eleanor Roosevelt duked it out for their political parties.

The First-Ever Televised Presidential Debate Was Between Two Women

In 1956, two highly-regarded party figures stepped in for candidates Eisenhower and Stevenson to tackle election issues.

Why Does Grover Cleveland Count as Two Presidents?

Historians suggest that while Grover Cleveland was but one person, he was actually two presidents thanks to his nonconsecutive terms.

How to Find Out If You’re Registered to Vote

If you’ve recently moved or changed your name (or just haven’t voted in a while), you probably need to re-register to vote.

Portraits of John Quincy Adams (left) and Andrew Jackson (right)

The Time Andrew Jackson Won the Vote But Lost the Presidency

In 1824, Jackson both won the popular vote and got the most votes in the electoral college, but lost the election anyway.

Victoria Claflin Woodhull led a very interesting life.

The First Woman to Run For President Was a Spiritualist, Wall Street Broker, and Free-Love Advocate

Long before Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris launched their presidential campaigns, Victoria Claflin Woodhull ran as a third party candidate in the 1872 election.

Each country has its own quirky election rules.

15 Facts About Elections Around the World

Voters in the U.S. may head to the polls on Tuesdays, but the rest of the world prefers to save its votes for Sunday.

Why Are Elections Held on Tuesdays?

There are a few reasons—including a little something to do with the horse and buggy. Find out more about the history of Election Day.

The Presidential Candidate Who Ran on a UFO Ticket

Gabriel Green explained that “I’m running for president because I was asked to do so by emissaries from outer space.”

Stranger Things Fan Puts Up Fake Jim Hopper Campaign Signs in New York

One 'Stranger Things' fan decided to turn the election season Upside Down by adding their own candidate to the ballot.

Courtesy of Orange County Regional History Center

100 Years Later, the Story of Florida’s Ocoee Massacre—an Election Day Attack on Black Citizens—Is Finally Being Told

On November 2, 1920, a Black man attempted to vote in Ocoee, Florida—and sparked the bloodiest Election Day massacre in U.S. history.

Pete Souza/The White House, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Can Presidents Pardon Themselves?

It’s a question that has been debated since the writing of the Constitution: Can Presidents pardon themselves?

A portrait of Horace Greeley engraved by Adam B. Walter.

When Horace Greeley Lost the 1872 Presidential Election—Then Promptly Died

Horace Greeley’s sudden death sent the Electoral College—which had yet to vote—into a state of confusion.

Election Day Used to Be Celebrated With Election Cake—a Boozy, Sugar-Filled Treat That Bakeries Across America Are Reviving

Before women could vote, they contributed to Election Day celebrations the old-fashioned way: by baking fruitcakes.

How to Vote in Person on Election Day if You Requested a Mail-in Ballot

You can still vote in person after requesting a mail-in ballot, but you need to follow your state's protocol to make sure your vote counts.

Astronaut Kate Rubins casts her ballot from space.

How Do Astronauts Vote From Space?

Kate Rubins cast her ballot from the International Space Station with the help of a county clerk and a nifty technology known as the PDF.

Larry David at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2009.

Larry David Shared His Favorite Episode of Seinfeld

“I was ready to pack the whole thing in if they didn’t let us do this show … Fortunately, they didn’t say a word. I was shocked,” David said.

How to Vote in Person Safely During the Coronavirus Pandemic

How safe is voting in person at your local polling place this Election Day? About as safe as running an errand to the grocery store.

13 Burning Mail-In Ballot Questions, Answered

From important deadlines to common mistakes, here's what you need to know to make sure your vote gets counted in 2020.

Samuel L. Jackson Wants to Teach You to Swear in 15 Different Languages

If 2500 people use the voter registration tools on Samuel L. Jackson's HeadCount page, the actor will teach you how to swear in 15 different languages.