what is the function of democratic elections in United States?
611667
their function is to protect every eligible citizens right to vote for the candidate of his/her choice, and, by "the will of the people" fill vacant political offices.
148370
The United States of America is a federal republic situated primarily in North America.\n\nThe United States is, indeed, a republic, not a democracy. Accurately defined, a democracy is a form of government in which the people decide policy matters directly--through town hall meetings or by voting on ballot initiatives and referendums. A republic, on the other hand, is a system in which the people choose representatives who, in turn, make policy decisions on their behalf.\n\nBy popular usage, however, the word "democracy" come to mean a form of government in which the government derives its power from the people and is accountable to them for the use of that power. In this sense the United States might accurately be called a democracy.
447216
The key reason for having an election is  to show the will of the electorate.  How effective this is is always open to debate.\nIn theory a person or party voted into office by election has the mandate to act on behalf of the people as in a fair contest more people voted for them than the other guy.  Again I stress this is how they are meant to work.\nSo the short answer would be we need elections to show what the will of the people is and to make our officials accountable to us.
191521
To the extent that it allows everyone to voice an opinion and choose a result by majority vote. There is some scientific evidence that large groups arrive at correct or viable answers to problems more often than one person or small groups.\n\nNo country today is a democratic country, because none allow direct votes by all the eligible voters on all issues. Instead, we tend to have what are called republics, in which smaller groups of voters elect persons to vote in their place on issues.\n\nAnd, whether democracy or republic, the fewer the people who participate, the less likely the outcome is the best for the country. Also, the more restraints by the leaders of the country on dissent and opposition, the less effective the leaders are in representing most of the people. These leaders, like George Bush and Dick Cheney, set themselves up as Plato's philosopher-kings, who know best, and let no one try to talk them out of what they are doing.
126226
True the US fore-fathers revolted against a colonial power and gave US its discernible freedom and democracy much in line with what was happening in France.\n\nHowever, in this day and age, democracy allows us to vote out those we don't want or vote in those we want. however the power of the citizenry is not limited there, they can lobby their senators and can band together via lobbies to influence thinking in white house.\n\nSo to answer your question, it is important that the structures built over the years to develop the checks and balances of governance are not eroded - like the free media etc...so strengthen these..and ou will see a stronger US...
337042
Your question is a little vague so I will approach it from the perspective of type of government.\n\nThe United States has never been a democratic form of government -- it has always been a republic.\n\nThe difference is that in a democracy the people have a direct vote.  In a republic, the citizens appoint (elect) individuals to represent them in office.\n\nOn the federal level our republic includes the president and both houses of congress.  On the state level, we have the state legislature and the governor.
34721
Voting is just one of the phases in the election process. Our choice is mostly affected by the propaganda and election campaigns as well as by the activities parties perform during the period between two elections. \n\nMany people think that elections are the only way to realize their democratic freedoms, neglecting other activities that can contribute to improve democracy in their countries. The more citizens are included in different levels of activities and decision-makings, the better people will be elected. More precisely, the candidates will feel better controlled.\n\n Consequently, the more passive and unconcerned citizens are, the more effective manipulation and propaganda will be. So, something that appears as one free choice of citizens will actually be the result of manipulation.\n\nHowever, I don't believe in bad and good guys in politics, but just in ones who are better watched by the open court on the one and those who take their chance when nobody watch them on the other hand. Even in the most democratic countries in the World it is just better then in another ones, but still not perfect.
474390
A democracy is a form of government where decisions are made by the people.\n\nIn a "direct democracy" every citizen votes for every decision.  This includes who will occupy each office and each government job, and every law and rule, as well as enforcement of laws.\n\nIn a "republic," the citizens elect representatives to offices and the elected representatives make decisions on hiring employees and passing and enforcing laws.\n\nFor a country the size of the U.S., a direct democracy would be infeasible.  Both the Republican and Democratic parties favor a republican form of government.\n\nThe Republican Party generally sides with the interests of wealthy people.  Although they claim to favor conservative financial practices and smaller government, they do not follow those beliefs when in office.\n\nThe Democratic Party generally favors the interests of middle class and poor people.  They are more receptive to deficit spending and financial support of poor people.
748146
Presidents and Vice Presidents of the United States are elected every four years indirectly through the United States Electoral College. They are the only nationally-elected offices in the United States, since executive officers and judges are appointed, United States Senators are elected at the state level, and United States Representatives are elected at the district level.\n\nOn election day, the voting public selects its preferred candidate, usually by voting for a slate of electors put forward by the candidate's party. The ballots for each voting citizen typically has the names of the candidates for President and Vice President (running together on a ticket), and votes for those individuals translate at the state level into votes for the electors chosen from their respective parties. Although State Legislatures have the constitutional power to appoint slates of electors, all fifty states have established popular election of presidential electors. In December, following the general election, Electors gather at their respective State capitals to cast their ballots, which are then transmitted to Congress under the care of the sitting Vice President of the United States. Originally, under Article 2, the electors cast two votes for the office of President, the individual with the most votes becoming President, the runner up becoming Vice President. This changed with the 12th amendment, with each elector casting one vote for President and one vote for Vice President. The ballots are counted and certified in January before both houses of Congress. Should a candidate for either President or Vice President fail to achieve a majority of votes, the United States House of Representatives (voting by state) chooses the next president from among the candidates while the United States Senate (voting normally) selects the vice president.
387258
The US was designed as a representative democracy, not an ideal democracy.  Thus we have representatives to vote for us in national elections.\n\nThat being said, the electoral college does have flaws and should be modified or eliminated.  But then so should the 2-per-state Senate, don't you think? Kind of bizarre when someone in Rhode Island is 100 times better represented in Congress than someone in California.
804876
Democracy:  Everyone votes for everything.\n\nRepublic:  Voters choose representatives to vote on issues.
773910
Parties realign politically to meet the changing electorate.  This year the Dems picked locally more conservative candidates in red states.  So their members in Congress will be slightly more conservative than in the previous sessions.  \n\nParty conventions are held every 4 years to officially nominate candidates.  Delegates are selected by primaries and caucuses.  A majority is required to win.  The convention also writes the party platform.
102454
I vote in every local election.  The local officials - mayor, town board, judges - all determine how property tax dollars are spent.  They determine when and how roads get repaired and whether or not to write or enforce local legislation - like dog leash laws.\n\nLocal elections have a much greater direct impact on quality of life than the national elections, especially since many laws that impact daily life are state, county and local municipal laws.
508810
It's democratic inasmuch as we vote for stuff.  Anything short of amending the Constitution is subject, directly or indirectly, to a majority vote of the people.
1063672
Well, that's part of America's government. Because we are actually a republic (and NOT a democracy) like the idiots on television like to say, we vote for people to represent us. So in a sense, the people do decide by electing representatives on their own behalf who represent their own beliefs to go to Washington to do crap.\n\nAs where in a democracy, the people vote on absolutely everything, which is expensive.
445276
Our government is a Republic, which in the U.S. is a representative Democracy.  We elect our Congressional delegates, our representatives, to pass laws by which we will govern ourselves.
743908
Democracy is voting,\nVoting is right to choose.\nSo without voting there is no democracy.\nWhat else can be more important then that.