Final answer:
A population voting for officials to run the government exemplifies a representative government, which is a type of democracy where elected officials represent citizens' interests, as seen in the U.S. government.
Step-by-step explanation:
A population voting for an elected official to run government for them would be an example of a representative government or representative democracy. In a representative democracy, citizens elect officials to represent their interests, which contrasts with a direct democracy, where citizens would vote directly on legislation and policies. The United States government operates as a representative democracy, where voters elect representatives at various levels, from members of Congress, the President, to local council members.
Direct democracy does still exist in various forms within the U.S., such as referendums and initiatives that allow voters to enact legislation directly.