Voting and Elections Chapter 11

1. Voting and Elections Chapter 11

2. Who Can Vote?Lesson 1 • Essential Questions: • What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens? • It Matters Because: • The right to vote spread slowly to more and more people.

3. Guiding Question: What are the requirements to vote? • Throughout history most people did not choose their rulers • People had powerful rulers such as kings and queens • In the United States • Citizens have the right to vote for their leaders • One of the most treasured rights

4. Expanding Suffrage • The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal” • This principle or belief has not always been achieved • Suffrage- the right to vote • The right to vote was limited to only white, male landowners • Excluded were : • White males who did not own property • All women , African Americans, Native Americans, people under 21 years of age • Alice Paul (1885-1977)-suffragist

5. Voting Requirements Today • Many barriers to voting have been eliminated • In most states some people are not eligible, or qualified to vote • People who committed serious crimes and are still imprisoned • People who suffer certain mental illness • Non-citizens • Abraham Lincoln said we have: • “a government of the people, by the people, and for the people”

6. Extending The Right To Vote

7. Extending The Right To Vote

8. Steps In the Voting Process • Guiding Question: What steps must you follow to vote? • Registering to Vote • All states except for North Dakota require citizens to register before they can vote • Register- to officially sign up to vote • Most states require you to register at least 25 days before the election • Some states allow you to register on Election Day

9. Registering to Vote • You must fill out a form • Name, address, age • Political party preference • Provide driver’s license, birth certificate, or other valid identification • Proof of citizenship • Some states allow you to register by mail • You can download the form • National Voter Registration Act • Requires states to let people register when they are renewing a drivers license • “Motor Voter” law

10. Preparing to Vote • Once you are registered you can vote • Your vote is important and can determine the outcome of the election • Affects the lives of many people • Be informed about the issues • Does the candidate stand for the things I think are important? • Is the candidate reliable and honest? • Does the candidate have relevant past experience? • Will the candidate be effective in offices? • Does the candidate have a real chance of winning?

11. Casting Your Vote • Many states allow early voting • Citizens can vote prior to Election Day • Some states allow early voting by mail • Polling Place- the place you go vote on Election Day • Set up in schools, community centers, fire stations, libraries and more • Each precinct, or voting district, has one polling place • When you arrive your present some form of identification • You cast your vote in secret

12. Ballot • Ballot-is a list of the candidates names that shows their political party and the office they are seeking • Could be a card that you punch holes • Could be a computer touch screen • Could be absentee ballots • Citizens who cannot get to polls vote absentee • Military personnel, people who are traveling • Voters request an absentee ballot

13. Why Your Vote Counts • Guiding Question- Why is it important to vote? • Every vote counts equally • Reasons to vote • Voting is a right and a responsibility • Voting gives you a chance to choose your government leaders • Voting allows you to express your feelings and opinions about current leaders • Voting gives a voice in how your community, state and country is run • Voting gives you positive attitudes about government and community

14. Understanding Voter Participation • Voting is a right, responsibility and power • Yet many Americans choose not to vote • Voter Turnout- the percentage of eligible voters who actually vote • If only 60 percent of eligible voters actually vote, turnout is 60 • Turnout rate is usually below 50 percent • Low turnout is mainly due to apathy • Apathy- lack of interest • To busy, moved and didn’t register, just not interested

15. Lesson 2Elections and Campaigns • Guiding Question- Why are there different types of elections in the American political system? • People who hold elected office in the United States • 435 Representatives • 100 Senators • President and Vice President • 500,000 elected official in the United States • Governors and state officials • Elections are a large part of American life

16. Primary and General Elections • The first step in the election process is the primary election. • Usually held in the spring or summer • Purpose of the primary election is to choose one candidate from each party • Candidate is the person with the plurality of the votes (most votes) • Some states require a majority

17. Elections • Presidential – Every 4 years • Senate – Every 6 six years • One third of senate every 2 years • House of Representatives – all members every 2 years • If the election is too close a recount is demanded

18. Initiatives and Referendums • People vote on issues • Topics of public interest, matters of debate or dispute • Issues can be put on the ballot so voters can approve or reject it. • Two special processes give voters a direct voice in governing • Initiative- is a process that lets voters propose new laws or amendments to state constitutions • Need to gather enough signatures to place it on the ballot • The proposed law is a proposition (prop) • Referendum- asks voters to accept or reject a law passed by the legislature • For example, changes to the constitution • These changes often involve new taxes or tax increases

19. Special Elections • Some states allow recall elections • People vote on whether to remove an official from office • Begins with people signing a petition • An election takes place • If there is a majority of votes, the official is removed from office • Sometimes an official dies in office or steps down • A special election might be held • Election does not take place a regularly scheduled time

20. Presidential Elections • Guiding Question- How are Presidents elected? • Understanding the Electoral College • Presidents are not directly elected by the people • When voters cast their ballots they are actually electing special representatives called electors • Electoral College- a group of people named by the state legislature to select the president and vice president

21. Electoral College • Each state has as many electors as they have senators and representatives • Florida has 27 representatives and 2 senators for a total of 29 electors • Nationally there are 538 electors • 100 Senators + 435 Representatives + 3 Representing District of Columbia = 538 Electors • The candidate that wins the majority of electoral votes, wins the election (at least 270) • Popular vote- the votes cast by individual voters, as apposed to electoral vote • The purpose of popular vote is to choose the electors

23. Criticisms of the Electoral College • Winner-take-all system- the candidate who wins the popular vote in the state receives all the state’s electoral votes • It’s possible to nationally win the popular vote and still lose the electoral votes • It’s extremely difficult for third party candidates to be represented in the electoral college • The Constitutions set up the Electoral College • It is a compromise, electors choose the president, but the popular vote chooses the electors • In order to change the system, the Constitution has to be amended

24. Running for Office • Needs to meet requirements • Natural-born citizen • At least 35 years old • Lived in the United States at least 14 years • Set up exploratory committee • Find out how much support the candidate is likely to get • Several people from each party compete in primaries • Delegates are chosen • Delegates at the conventions choose the party candidate

25. Campaigning • After the convention the candidate hits the campaign trail • Speeches, interviews, community events, debates, answer voters questions • Canvas- to seek votes from voters • Door-to-door, telephone, Internet, television, radio, signs, buttons, etc… • Endorsements- public support from people and groups

26. Campaign Finance • Local campaigns cost thousands of dollars • State campaigns cost hundreds of thousands of dollars • Presidential campaigns cost hundreds of millions of dollars. • Most of the money comes from donations • Individuals, corporations, unions, private groups • Political Action Committees (PACs) • An organization set up by interest groups to collect and direct money to candidates and their campaigns • Many Americans believe there is too much money in campaigns. • Candidates will want to help the biggest donors