Voting and Elections Chapter 10 Sections 1 and 2

CAMPAIGN TIMELINE Candidates declare their intention to run for the office of president. States hold primaries and caucuses to choose delegates for national party conventions. Delegates at national party conventions choose Republican and Democratic nominees for president and vice president. On the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, the electors from all 50 states vote for president and vice president. On January 6, the President of the Senate counts the electoral votes. To win the election, a candidate must receive one half of the total votes plus one vote. Democratic and Republican candidates campaign for their party's nomination. Independent candidates circulate petitions to qualify for a certificate of nomination. On the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, voters choose presidential electors in a general election. Independent candidates campaign for public support. On January 20, the new president and vice president are inaugurated. © 2004 by Education World®. Education World grants users permission to reproduce this work sheet for educational purposes only.

What happens on Election Day? Voting Requirements At least 18 years old Citizen of the U.S. Registered to Vote What happens on Election Day? Go to the polling place and check-in. Cast your vote. If you cannot make it to the precinct, you may use an absentee ballot. Straight Ticket – vote for only one party’s candidates Split Ticket – vote for candidates from both parties. Votes are counted. Sometimes a winner can be predicted because of exit polls.

Citizens Responsibilities at Election time. Be informed about the candidate and the issues. Campaign about an issue or a candidate. Register to vote and VOTE!! *Why should you vote? **Why do some people choose not to vote? ***What effects the way citizens decide to vote?

Types of Elections Primary Elections – Where candidates in a political party compete with one another to win the nomination of the party. General Elections – Voters choose candidates for various offices. They take place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even numbered years. All of the seats in the House of Representatives and 1/3 of the seats in the Senate are elected every even numbered year. Special Elections – Held by state or local governments. Examples, recall elections are used to remove a public official from office and runoff elections are used to break a tie from the general election.

Primary Elections Closed Primary Open Primary Only declared members of that party are allowed to vote for the presidential nominee Open Primary Members of any party can vote for the presidential nominees. In most states to win the nomination you need a plurality not a majority!

2008 Primaries

Presidential Elections Primary Elections to nominate candidates. Campaign – Candidates use T.V. ads and the internet to raise support and the major candidates debate each other. Political Parties heavily campaign for their candidate. Voting – The president is not directly elected, but he is chosen by the Electoral College. Americans cast votes and the candidate who receives the popular vote in a state receives all of the electoral votes of that state.

Democratic Elections What makes them fair? All votes are equal All candidates can speak out about their views. Citizens can support candidates or issues Not many rules about voting and race and religion are not issues that effect voting. Citizens vote by secret ballot so they do not face punishment