Voting and Elections Before 1870, only white men over the age of 21 could vote. Before 1870, only white men over the age of 21 could vote – 15 th amendment gave black men the right to vote – 15 th amendment gave black men the right to vote – 19 th amendment gave women the right to vote 1920 – 19 th amendment gave women the right to vote

1971 – 26 th amendment gave 18 year olds the right to vote – 26 th amendment gave 18 year olds the right to vote.

Requirements 18 years old on election day. (can register at 17 ½) 18 years old on election day. (can register at 17 ½) A U.S. citizen A U.S. citizen A resident of your district for 30 days A resident of your district for 30 days Registered 21 days prior Registered 21 days prior Not incompetent or serving a jail sentence Not incompetent or serving a jail sentence

What is the difference in elections? Election of Representatives Election of Representatives –Voting for people Voting on Constitutional Amendments Voting on Constitutional Amendments –Fundamental changes Voting on proposals Voting on proposals –Tax increases etc.

Types of Elections Primary Election Primary Election –Held before general elections to decide on one candidate. General Election General Election –Every two years when all reps and 1/3 of senators are elected.

2012 – vote for President and Governor – vote for President and Governor.

Protecting your right to vote. A voter cannot be arrested on election day unless he or she has committed a serious crime. A voter cannot be arrested on election day unless he or she has committed a serious crime. Absentee voting Absentee voting

Political Parties Two Party System – most elections are won by a Republican or Democrat. Two Party System – most elections are won by a Republican or Democrat. Republicans dominated from Republicans dominated from Democrats – 1932 – 1952 Democrats – 1932 – 1952 Since then it has gone back and forth. Since then it has gone back and forth.

Third Parties Constitution Party Constitution Party Green Party Green Party Libertarian Party Libertarian Party Reform Party Reform Party Socialist Party Socialist Party

Missouri Swing State – very accurate at voting for the ultimate election winner. Swing State – very accurate at voting for the ultimate election winner. Since 1904 – we have only been wrong three times. (1956, 2008, 2012) Since 1904 – we have only been wrong three times. (1956, 2008, 2012) Peak – 18 electoral votes. Peak – 18 electoral votes. Current – 10 electoral votes. Current – 10 electoral votes.

Election of a President Candidate Selection Candidate Selection –A. 1-2 years before the election: potential candidates start looking for support, making speeches, collecting money.

Feb – June: Select delegates to the National Convention Feb – June: Select delegates to the National Convention 1. Caucus (political party meeting) – shows which candidates are most popular at the time

–First one: Iowa (January) –Importance: shows ability to gathers support from voters, 1 st on the scoreboard has “advantage”.

2.Presidential Primary a.Party voters vote in state wide election b.In some, it just shows popularity, in others it elects the delegates c.New Hampshire: 1 st Primary (January)

National Convention National Convention –1. Write a party platform (party’s position on the issues) –2. Choose the candidate

–3. Presidential Candidate announces his/her running mate  A. How the Presidential candidate decides on a running mate: Balance the ticket.

–Geography – different part of the country to pull more votes –Conservative vs. liberal –Other factors: age, gender, ethnicity

Selecting Electors: Summer Selecting Electors: Summer –Vote for the President if their candidate/party wins that state –Selected by each party in each state

–Number of electors determined by population: MO has 10 now!

Campaign: September/October Campaign: September/October –A. Mostly in states with the most electoral votes –Key States: Magic Dozen – CA, NY, TX, FL, PA, IL, VA, NC, GA, OH, MI, NJ

–B. Ads, Appearances, Debates –C. Cost – 2008 an estimated $5.3 Billion was spend on Presidential and Congressional races. (a 27% increase since 2004)

 Money comes from: –1. Political Action Committees –2. Individuals –3. Fed. Income Tax –4. Political Parties

–5. Fundraising

Election Day First Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every 4 years. First Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every 4 years. –Ballot lists: candidate name and party –People are really voting for electors

–Winner take all: whichever candidate wins the popular vote in the state gets all the electors. –Example: Republican

Electoral Vote Counted (Early January) by Congress Electoral Vote Counted (Early January) by Congress –A. Need: 270/538

President Inaugurated (takes office): January 20 th – 20 th Amendment. President Inaugurated (takes office): January 20 th – 20 th Amendment.