Election is a 1999 film adapted from a critically acclaimed 1998 novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta. The plot revolves around a three-way election race in high school that satirizes high school life and politics. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for Witherspoon in the Best Actress category.

It stars Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon and Chris Klein and is set in suburban Omaha, Nebraska and is the story of Jim McAllister (Broderick) and Tracy Flick (Witherspoon). McAllister is a high school teacher whose enthusiastic involvement with various school-related functions masks his frustration with other aspects of his life. Tracy is an overachiever whose obsession with getting into a good college masks a vindictive, manipulative and sexual side. When Tracy obtains a nomination for class president in the school election, McAllister believes she does not deserve the title, and tries his best to stop her from winning.

The film gained much attention commercially and critically in 1999, mainly because of word-of-mouth and high critical praise, while it failed to become a major box office success, home video and DVD releases were extensively popular, and the film achieved a cult classic status. Following its release, the movie has received various rankings, Election is ranked #61 on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies, Witherspoon's performance as Flick was ranked at #45 on the list of the 100 Greatest Film Performances of All Time by Premiere Magazine, and #9 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the 1_0_,00.html" target="_blank">50 Best High School Movies. Since its release, it has been credited with inspiring several other high school set films, dealing with the student overthrowing the teacher. The film was rated R by the _Motion Picture Association of America for strong sexuality, sex-related dialogue and language, and a scene of drug use.

Tracy Flick is running unopposed for this year's high school student election. But school civics teacher Jim McAllister has a different plan. Partly to establish a more democratic election, and partly to satisfy some deep personal anger toward Tracy, Jim talks popular varsity football player Paul Metzler to run for president as well. Chaos ensues. Written by R. P. Falvey

Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) is a Social Studies teacher at Carver High. A student of his, Tracy Flick (Reese Whiterspoon), tends to rub him the wrong way. Flick, a loner and ambitious girl, decides to run for class president. McAllister convinces football player Paul (Chris Klein) to run against her. His lesbian sister Tammy (Jessica Campbell) joins the election after her girlfriend starts going out with Paul. During the campaigns, Tracy plays dirty, plying students with muffins and gum. Tammy adopts an anarchist attitude that the student body responds to. Paul has few skills to offer the position. Meanwhile, McAllister's going through a bad time with his wife. Written by Alejandro Frias

Tracy Flick is the most driven student at Carver High, who just happens to be having an affair with one of her teachers. Another teacher--Mr. McAllister--is having an affair with his wife's best friend. Student Elections are under way, when Mr. McAllister persuades football jock Paul to run against Flick for his own pleasure. Flick, of course, is mortified that Paul is even trying to compete. Tammy, Paul's lesbian sister who got dumped by her girlfriend to go with Paul, decides that running against her brother is the best revenge. Who will win the election this year? Written by Kyle

Every Vote Counts