It’s the 3rd of November, and millions of Americans are lining up to vote in the midst of a global pandemic and escalating racial unrest. As with everything this year, the election has been foreshadowed by rising tensions, tribal partisanship, and a flood of misinformation. While the US political system is obtuse enough to confuse even the most informed citizen, it is even more bizarre for those on the outside looking in. Here’s a brief overview of everything you need to know before the spectacle begins.