Participation in elections in the United States is much lower than in the vast majority of mature democracies. Perhaps this is because of the lack of competition in a country where only two parties have a true chance of winning. Or perhaps it is because, in the United States, campaign contributions disproportionately favor incumbents in most legislative elections. This Very Short Introduction introduces the reader to these issues and more, providing an insider`s view of how the system actually works while shining a light on some of its flaws. It offers readers a very clear picture indeed of the problems that underlie America`s electoral system.