Blending insightful scholarship with a ""nuts and bolts"" approach, this title examines the electoral process at the local, state and national levels. The authors focus on such current issues as the use of pollsters and political consultants, campaign finance reform, partisan politics, and the changing nature of both candidates and voters. Abundant case studies - including the contested election of George W. Bush - illustrate the text, while the editors' section introducions provide valuable context.