Final answer:
In November, when citizens vote for electors who will choose the president, they are participating in a general election. This is different from primary, special, or midterm elections, as it is the main event that determines which presidential candidate will receive a state's Electoral College votes.
Step-by-step explanation:
When citizens cast their votes for the president (specifically the electors for the president) in November, they are participating in a general election. This occurs every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. During the general election, voters are not directly electing the president; they are selecting which electors will represent their state in the Electoral College, which in turn, formally elects the president.
A primary election is used by political parties to select their candidates for the general election, and it precedes the general election. However, the vote in November for the president (specifically the electors) is the culmination of the electoral process where the general population participates in selecting the nation's leader. It's important to distinguish this from a primary election, special election, and midterm election, as they serve different purposes within the electoral system.