Warm Up When you get the opportunity to cast your first vote for the President of the United States, what will you look for in a candidate? What will influence you the most as you make up your mind? Make a list of qualifications that you would require in a candidate for President, such as the candidate's age. Think about the Constitutional qualifications for president and add others of your own. Make a second list of factors, such as the opinions of family members, that might influence your decision.

Federal Voting Laws No State can deprive any person of the right to vote “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude” (15th Amendment) No State can deprive any person of the right to vote on account of sex (19th Amendment) No State can require payment of any tax as a condition for taking part in the nomination or election of any federal officeholder (24th Amendment)

Who is Elected positions in local, state, and national legislative branches mayor, governor, or president county officials some judges

The “Australian Ballot” paid for by the government lists the names of all candidates in an election is given out only at the polls, one to each qualified voter can be marked in secret (most important aspect)

Ballots Filled out by punching a hole in the paper Newer electronic machines that use touch-screen technology are being used more frequently Absentee Voting: process by which they could vote without going to their polling places on election day returned to the local election office in a sealed envelope before election day

There are many reasons why a mail-in ballot may be considered invalid and not counted. Does the data shown support or oppose the use of mail-in ballots?