<P> For federal offices ( President , Vice President , and United States Congress ) , Election Day occurs only in even - numbered years . Presidential elections are held every four years , in years divisible by four , in which electors for President and Vice President are chosen according to the method determined by each state . Elections to the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate are held every two years ; all Representatives are elected to serve two - year terms and are up for election every two years , while Senators serve six - year terms , staggered so that one third of Senators are elected in any given general election . General elections in which presidential candidates are not on the ballot are referred to as midterm elections . Terms for those elected begin in January the following year ; the President and Vice President are inaugurated ( `` sworn in '' ) on Inauguration Day , which is usually on January 20 . </P>
<P> For federal offices ( President , Vice President , and United States Congress ) , Election Day occurs only in even - numbered years . Presidential elections are held every four years , in years divisible by four , in which electors for President and Vice President are chosen according to the method determined by each state . Elections to the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate are held every two years ; all Representatives are elected to serve two - year terms and are up for election every two years , while Senators serve six - year terms , staggered so that one third of Senators are elected in any given general election . General elections in which presidential candidates are not on the ballot are referred to as midterm elections . Terms for those elected begin in January the following year ; the President and Vice President are inaugurated ( `` sworn in '' ) on Inauguration Day , which is usually on January 20 . </P>
when is a presidential election required to take place according to the constitution
when is a presidential election required to take place according to the constitution
every four years , in years divisible by four
every four years , in years divisible by four