KIDS VOTE | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation ELECTION 2012

| Election Vocabulary Vote –Make a decision Candidate –A person running for office Office –An elected role in government Referendum –A public vote on a question, policy or issue Electoral College –Constitutional process by which the President is elected by state representatives, or Electors

Political Parties Political Parties are groups of people who have similar ideas. Major US political parties Democrats Republicans Libertarians Some government offices are nonpartisan The individual candidates can have political ideas but don’t officially run as members of a political party Includes school board and judges

On Our Ballot President Governor US House of Representatives Mecklenburg ballot –County Commission –Student referendum

President –4 ‐ year term Role –Makes decisions –Works with Congress –Works with other countries –Follows and enforces U.S. laws –Leads the military –Represents the United States I'll Be the President

Meet the Candidates Barack Obama (D) Mitt Romney (R) Gary Johnson (L) Obama Campaign Site Romney Campaign SiteJohnson Campaign SiteJohnson Campaign Site/

Governor –4 ‐ year terms Role –Reports to the General Assembly on the business of North Carolina –Recommends a budget to the General Assembly and administers a balanced budget –Leads the state’s military forces (except when forces are called into action by the US) –Names state officers, such as judges –Signs North Carolina laws

Meet the Candidates Walter Dalton (D) Pat McCrory (R) Barbara Howe (L) Dalton Campaign SiteMcCrory Campaign SiteHowe Campaign Site

U.S. House of Representatives Representative –2 ‐ year terms Role includes: –Represents North Carolina residents in Congress –Makes decisions –Works with the Senate to create and approve legislation –Initiates revenue bills, including taxes –Can impeach officials –Elects the President in the event of an electoral deadlock

Meet the Candidates Roberts Campaign Site Roberts Campaign Site Pittenger Campaign SitePittenger Campaign Site Jennifer Roberts (D)Robert Pittenger (R) Campbell Campaign Site Curtis Campbell (L)

County Commission Governing body for Mecklenburg County 3 At ‐ Large members represent entire county; 6 District members represent districts Responsibilities of the BOCC include: Adopt the annual county budget Set the property tax rate Define county priorities and policies (health, safety, education, environment, social services) Hire the county manager, a professional who manages the daily operations of the county

Candidates for County Commission At ‐ Large (Vote for 3) Pat Cotham (D) Trevor Fuller (D) Kim Ratliff (D) Jason Bateman (L) Michael Hobbs (R) James Peterson (R) Wayne Powers (R) Vote for 1 District Representative District 1: Keith Bradford (D) or Karen Bentley (R)

Now…its YOUR turn! 1.Learn about the candidates 2.Think about the information 3.Choose candidates you like best 4.Vote 5.After the election, keep track of the candidates & their promises and actions

Start with an issue YOU care about Education, environment, safety, transportation, economy/jobs, children, neighborhoods, teachers Find information about the candidates GenerationNation Includes candidate debate videos and other information Charlotte Observer NC Voter Guide