How are officials elected or appointed?
hpw do people exercise power?

In most democratic systems, as is the case in the United States of America, government officials are elected through suffrage, that is, through a vote in which the citizenry participates, whether compulsory or optional. Thus, the officers who access their positions are those who have been the most voted by the public.

In turn, citizens exercise their power precisely through voting, which is ultimately a manifestation of will regarding the political future of the nation.

the answer is b.2008 and 2012 were presidential election years.