Tracey Flick is running unopposed for this year's high school student council president election. But school guidance counsellor Jim McAllister has a different plan. Partly to establish a more democratic election, and partly to satisfy some deep personal anger towards Tracey, Jim talks popular varsity football player Paul Metzler into running for president as well.

As director Payne says about the film: "Election explores the sad and pathetic parts of people's lives that you just have to laugh about."