Elections in the USA

1. November 10, 2016
Donald J. Trump, American president-elect
On November 8, millions of Americans
stood in line to vote in their country’s
presidential election. As they did, the
world watched and waited. The U.S. is
the world’s largest economy. Its mili-
tary forces are better equipped and far
stronger than those of other countries.
Often, the president is said to be the
most powerful person on the planet.
The following day, it was confirmed
that Donald J. Trump had beaten his ri-
val, Hillary Clinton. The news flashed
around the world. Few expected him to
win. The result, many said, was a “politi-
cal earthquake”. Others described it as
the biggest political upset in America’s
240-year history.
Mr. Trump, who is 70 years old, is a
wealthy businessman. He has ncver been
a politician. Mr. Trump first declared that
he would be “running” for president 17
months ago. Then, many people laughed,
or thought that it was a joke. Those who
did greatly underestimated Mr. Trump.
They also misunderstood the mood and
concernsofmillionsofAmericanpeople.
Presidential elections in the U.S. take
place every four years. A person can
serve as president for a maximum of
eight years, or two successive four-year
terms. This meant that Barack Obama,
who won the elections in 2008 and 2012,
could not stand again this time.
The Republicans and Democrats are
the two main political parties in the U.S.
Selecting their candidates for an election
takes a long time. The process began
nine months ago. It is often called “the
race for the White House”. This build-
ing is in Washington DC, the country’s
capital. The White House is where the
president lives and works.
To select the Republican and Demo-
crat presidential candidate, or nominee,
DONALD TRUMP WINS

2. November 10, 2016
each American state organizes a
vote. Most states only allow regis-
tered members of the two parties to
take part. Voting is held in different
statesondifferentdates.Thecontests
are spread over a five-month period.
The first usually takes place in Iowa.
Mr. Trump has made most of his
money from property. His company
owns large office blocks and big ho-
tels. The businessman is outspoken.
He often says things that shock or
upset many people. Yet his support-
ers admire him for saying what he
thinks. They claim that most politi-
cians are too afraid to do this.
Mrs. Clinton was President
Obama’s secretary of state for four
years. This person is one of the
U.S.’s most important politicians.
While secretary of state, Mrs. Clin-
ton used a private email server. It
is unlawful for senior government
workers to do this. Many emails
she received or sent were classified,
or secret. Private email servers are
not secure. An investigation was
ordered. Mrs. Clinton was criticized
for what she did but not punished.
Many Americans complained
about Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton.
Both were unpopular. Some said that
theywouldnotvoteforeither.Others
believe that Mr. Trump is not quali-
fied to be the president. Yet they also
think that Mrs. Clinton is untrust-
worthy. Many senior members of the
Republican Party declared that they
would not vote for Mr. Trump.
After winning their nominations,
Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton trave-
led around the country. They did
this to try to persuade people to
vote for them. Both attended
hundreds of rallies. At many, Mrs.
Clinton insulted Mr. Trump and
Mr. Trump insulted Mrs. Clinton.
Mr. Trump became well known
for his slogan “Make America
Great Again”. He made some
unusual pledges, or promises.
Building a wall along America’s
border with Mexico and making
friends with Vladimir Putin, the
president of Russia, were two. The
wall, Mr. Trump explained, would
stop illegal immigrants from
entering the country.
Before the election, nearly all
political forecasters, news reporters
and politicians predicted a Clinton
win. The results from each state were
announced throughout the night. As
the numbers added up, people
realized that the contest was close.
Then, early in the morning on
November 9, Mr. Trump had won.
Mr. Trump is now president-elect.
He will officially take over from Mr.
Obama as America’s 45th president
on January 20, next year.
Florida
(29)
Louisiana
(8)
Mississippi(6)
Georgia
(16)
Alabama
(9)
South Carolina (9)
Arkansas
(6)
Texas
(38)
North Carolina (15)
DC (3)
Tennessee (11)
New Mexico
(5)
Oklahoma
(7)
Arizona
(11)
Kentucky (8)
Virginia (13)
Maryland (10)
Delaware (3)
Kansas
(6)
Missouri
(10)
West
Virginia
(5)
Colorado
(9)
New Jersey(14)
Indiana(11)
Ohio
(18)
Nevada
(6)
Utah
(6)California
(55)
Rhode Island
(4)
Connecticut (7)
Pennsylvania
(20)
Illinois
(20)
Massachusetts (11)
Nebraska
(5)
Iowa
(6)
Wyoming
(3)
New York
(29)
Vermont (3)
New
Hampshire (4)
Michigan
(16)
South Dakota
(3)
Oregon
(7)
Wisconsin
(10)
Maine
(4)
North Dakota
(3)
Idaho
(4)
Montana
(3)
Washington
(12)
Minnesota
(10)
Mexico
Canada
Canada
Russia
Alaska
(3)
Hawaii
(4)
States won by Donald Trump (Republican)
States won by Hillary Clinton (Democrat)
Number of Electoral College votes(x)
As at 10th November
3 states undeclared
Clinton 228
Democrat
Trump 290 Electoral College votes
Republican
270
to win