Final answer:
The election in which the electorate decides which candidate will fill the election positions is known as a general election, where voters choose between the candidates selected by political parties during primaries.
Step-by-step explanation:
An election in which the electorate decides which candidate will fill the election positions is known as a general election. A general election typically follows the primary election, where political parties select their candidates. The general election allows voters to choose between the candidates selected by the parties during the primaries.
In the context of the United States, there are two main types of elections: primaries and general elections. The primary elections are used by political parties to select their candidates, who will then compete in the general election to fill public office positions. The midterm elections occur in the even-numbered years between presidential elections and can also feature the coattail effect, particularly when the president's popularity influences voters' choices in congressional races.