When citizens cast votes for president in November, they are participating in a General election. Elections are part of democracy which enables voters to select leaders and to hold them accountable for their performance in office. They also serves to legitimize the acts of those who wield power, a function that is performed to some extent even by elections that are non competitive. The general election in the U.S is held every four years. It includes the political party nominees and also any official presidential candidates who do not have a political party affiliation.
