Elections occur in every even-numbered year for some federal and most state and local government offices in the United States. Some states and local jurisdictions hold elections in odd-numbered years.

Thus, 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.

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Live from the 2008 Political Conventions
August 25- September 8

The 2008 Democratic and Republican party conventions represent the culmination of months of party primaries and caucuses, resulting in the selection of two official candidates for the U.S. presidency. Please join our daily webchats & Webcasts, coming to you live from the convention sites in Denver and Minneapolis. Our 2008 political convention webchats & webcasts will feature a wide array of guests, from delegates attending the events to political pundits and analysts -- from across the political spectrum -- providing their take on each day's events.

Click here to download the full schedule of webcasts & webchats.