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"MID"-term is an odd name for an election. It's a name that not everyone can relate to at first. But when you look at "midterm" and in your mind, you see the words "middle of the [president's] term", then you can understand when it better.

The midterm elections occur states two years into the president's 4-year term. It is a nationwide election and it determines the balance of power in congress. It is often referred to as the "congressional midterm". But make no mistake, the midterm elections take the temperature on the president. They can be a rubber-stamp of approval or a referendum of rejection to the president's agenda.

What are the different ways that primaries are conducted?

There are five types of primaries conducted in the United States: open primaries, primaries open to unaffiliated voters, partially open primaries, closed primaries, and semi-closed primaries. Here we provide details on the several types of primaries.

The United States is the only major democracy using primary elections to narrow down nominees for office from a selection of candidates. And we haven’t always done it this way.

Think of primaries as a way to narrow down the field of candidates to those who will ultimately appear on the ballot in the general election. A primary election permits voters to decide which candidates for office will become the parties’ nominees in an upcoming general election. During primary elections, we collectively winnow down pools of candidates, the winners of which are voted on for office in the general election.

What's at stake in the general election: All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and a varying number each midterm of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate, plus handfuls of other state offices and ballot measures.