This companion guide to the celebrated How Congress Works delivers a solid, broad-based introduction to how American voters elect their representatives. Historical perspective covers how the process has changed throughout our country's history, as one barrier to voting after another has fallen to pressure for wider suffrage. In Electing Congress , CQ’s election experts examine why only half of those who are eligible to vote actually exercise their franchise in major elections, and even fewer in off years without a presidential contest. They present a coherent picture of the demographic makeup of Congress, the direction of political parties, campaign financing, reapportionment and redistricting. Electing Congress is the easy-to-read and authoritative source that covers the essentials in every aspect of how America elects its legislators.