In what year do presidential elections occur in the U.S.?

Presidential elections in the United States occur every four years. This schedule is established by law and is intended to provide a consistent interval between elections, allowing citizens to select their president at regular, predictable intervals. The four-year cycle corresponds with the term length set for the presidency, ensuring that the elected president has sufficient time to implement their policies and fulfill their duties before facing the electorate again.

While elections happen in even-numbered years, this encompasses a range of elections beyond just the presidential one, including midterm elections for Congress. Thus, while the frequency of presidential elections coincides with even-numbered years, it is the specific four-year interval that truly defines the presidential election cycle. Other options, such as odd-numbered years or biennial elections for offices other than the presidency, do not accurately describe the timing of presidential elections.