Election Day Election Day

Election Dates Why November? Elections are always held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November – Why? Starting in 1792, the U.S. Congress permitted states to conduct their presidential elections anytime within a 34 day period before the first Wednesday in December. This is no longer the case…………..

Election Dates Why November? Faster communication between states created a need for a uniform nation- wide election day. Why? November was seen as the best time to conduct elections because it was after harvest season, but before winter storms began.

Elections General Election is the election held every four years where the President of the United States and other main offices are elected simultaneously Mid-term Elections occur two years after the general elections, i.e; at the midpoint of the President’s term – what we are in now.

Elections Elections are held at three levels; federal, state and local. ** States oversee their own elections!

Local Elections We have many local positions that are elected offices. These two are elected in Leon County but appointed in some other counties. The Sheriff manages corrections, law enforcement and court services. The Superintendent of Schools is the chief administrator of schools in their county

School Board Qualifications Registered Leon County Voter, resident of district at the time of qualifying 4 year term, Salary : $35,409 There are five seats on the Leon County School Board, each of these seats are Non-Partisan (means not affiliated with a party)

School Board (2014 election) School Board, District 1 Forrest VanCamp Alva Striplin – will be starting 11/18 School Board, District 5 School Board, District 3 Maggie Lewis-Butler (Unopposed) Georgia “Joy” Bowen (Unopposed)

Local Elections Examples of Other Elected Local Offices The Property Appraiser is responsible for evaluating property value for tax purposes The Supervisor of Elections oversees voter registration and elections.

Local Elections More Elected Local Offices Clerk of Court County Commissioner City Commission Seats – Along with the Mayor, make up the governing body of a city. Our Current Mayor is John Marks. County Judge Seats 1-4 Mayor -Elect Andrew Gillum The position of Mayor is elected during midterm elections

City Commission 4-year terms, Elected citywide. Candidate must reside in city at time of qualifying. Qualifications

County Commission Qualifications Registered Leon County Voter Resident of district at the time of qualifying. Term of Office: 4 years, Salary: $72,221

State Offices Executive Branch: This branch consists of the office of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Chief Financial Officer………. The offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected on the same ticket – Party Ticket (like the President and Vice President) Florida Governor Rick Scott

State Elections 2014 Governor Qualifications 1. Elector no less than 30 years of age; 2. Resident of the state for the preceding 7 years. (Art. IV, § 5, Fla. Const.) Scott – v – Crist and other 3 rd party/no party preference candidates. Rick Scott (REP) *Incumbent Charlie Crist (DEM)

State Elections Legislative Branch is made of the House of Representatives and the Senate – Florida House and Senate Members serve four year terms. – Elections for these positions are staggered so that new Legislative members are elected every two years Why do you think elections are staggered? Why not elect all House and Senate Members in the same election?

State Elections Qualifications 1. Elector and resident of the district upon taking office. 2. Must be at least twenty-one years of age. 3. Must be a resident of the state for at least two years prior to election. (Art. III, § 15, Fla. Const.) State Representative and Senator

State Elections –Judicial Branch Supreme Court Justices Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the Governor of the State Justices Serve six year terms and must be voted on by the citizens at the end of their term based on a yes/no vote Why is it important that citizens be able to vote to keep Justices appointed by the Governor?

Another State Judicial Office that is Elected Judicial State Attorney – 2 nd Judicial Circuit – Serves four year terms – There is no limit to how many terms a state attorney can serve – Acts as the State’s prosecutor for all criminal cases in their respective circuits Florida State Attorney Willie Meggs

Federal Elections – Presidential Election This election occurs every four years – next in 2016 Presidents serve 4 year terms (2 terms is the limit) – Congressional Elections These elections occur every two years for members of the House; once during general elections, and again during midterm elections U.S. Senators are given six year terms – 1/3 of the Senate is up for election every 2 years. There is no limit on the number of terms a member of the U.S. Congress can serve.

Federal Elections 2014 U.S. House of Representative District 2 Steve Southerland (REP) *Incumbent Luther Lee (WRI)Gwen Graham (DEM) Qualifications 1. Must be 25 years old. 2. Must live in the state you represent. 3. Must reside in the United States for 7 years.

The Issues – Federal Platform (Overall Party Concerns) Democratic Party Platform Republican Party Platform Plank 1 (Specific Issue)Unites States Economy Wants the federal government to place regulations on businesses to influence economic growth Wants to use tax relief to grow economy and create jobs Plank 2 (Specific Issue)Education Wants to raise standards in K-12 Schools and increase financial aid for secondary education Wants to increase access to charter schools, and promote accountability for students and parents Plank 3 (Specific Issue)Health Care Mandated healthcare for all citizens Says mandated healthcare is unconstitutional. Supports Medicare Plank 4 (Specific Issue)Energy Supports industry of creating green energy Wants America to resume off-shore drilling to boost economy and lower energy costs