Elections How Does It Work?

How to Elect Direct election - citizens vote directly for the candidate Have Congress choose the president State legislatures could choose the president Compromise - electoral college indirect election- vote for electors who then elect the candidate

The Electoral College Voters in the US don’t vote directly for the President We vote for a group of electors - the Electoral College They have pledged to support a party’s nominee In some states the ballots list the names of the electors instead of the candidates

Adjustments to system At 1st electors voted on one ballot Person who received the highest number of votes became President the next highest became V. President 12th Amendment changed this Electors would vote on separate ballots for President and V. President Originally electors were elected in some states and appointed by others - now electors all elected in all states

Elections with Problems 1796 - The two people with the highest number of votes were political foes. Federalists John Adams was President and Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson for V. President 1800 - There was a tie between the Presidential candidate Jefferson and the V. Presidential candidate Burr. It went to the House.

How do electors decide how to vote? At 1st electors voted as they chose Political Parties later set a slate of electors pledged to vote for their candidate. Voters no longer choose individual electors - they choose a party slate In all states except Maine, a candidate gets all of the state’s electoral votes if he wins the popular election. Winner take all

The Modern Campaign What is involved?

The Campaign Trail Candidates spend every day between Labor day and election crisscrossing the country trying to convince voters from Hawaii to Maine that they are more trustworthy and capable than their opponents.

The Issues Domestic issues affect citizens of our country unemployment, medical aid, elderly care, the poor, tax rate Foreign Policy - issues dealing with other countries policy on nuclear weapons, treaties, role of military

Strategy - a plan Candidates hire political advisors to plan a winning campaign. Professional speech writers prepare the words the candidate uses to explain his policies. Media experts are hired to determine how to reach the voters Try to get as much free media attention as possible

Volunteers Backbone of the campaign Donate hundreds of hours of their time to help their candidate get elected. Operate the campaign headquarters in the different states Organize rallies, parades, and fund-raising events Go door to door to tell people why they should vote for their candidate

Election Day Big Day is Here!

When and Where First Tuesday after the first Monday in November States assign a polling place and a time. Precinct - area that you are registered to vote 7 to 7 is most common time schools, churches, gov’t buildings

Procedure Arrive at poll-no campaigning here Sign in and are given a ballot Step into a private booth and mark ballot paper, punch cards, lever machines, computer Give ballot to election official if it is paper or punch card. That’s It!

What happens after the vote? Votes are tallied and sent in Election boards certify the votes - winner is declared Once a candidate has the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the election, the losing candidate gives a concession statement Winner gives a victory statement.