Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
When we say something is 'directly elected,' it means that individuals are chosen for specific positions or offices directly by eligible voters without any intermediaries or electoral college systems involved.
The right of all adult citizens to vote in political elections. In systems with universal suffrage, eligible voters have the opportunity to directly elect their representatives.
Popular Vote: The total number of votes cast by individuals in an election for a particular candidate or issue. It represents the overall preferences of the electorate.
Electoral College: A system used in some countries, like the United States, where representatives are chosen to cast votes on behalf of citizens. These representatives then indirectly determine the final outcome of an election (such as choosing a president).