Who runs elections in the United States? It sounds like a simple question. But judging by recent headlines—and some very loud voices online—there’s a lot of confusion. If your answer is “the President,” you’re not alone. But you’re also not correct. The truth is, the President has—and is supposed to have—very little direct control over elections. Yes, even Donald Trump. That’s not a political opinion. That’s how the system was designed. Fifteen hundred-thousandths of 1% . And