1. Election Day Election Day The Campaigning Begins!

2. Election Dates Why November? Elections are always held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November – Why? Since 1792, the U.S. Congress permitted states to conduct their presidential elections anytime within a 34 day period before the first Wednesday in December – The first Wednesday in December was the day scheduled for electorates to meet in their respective states

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

4. Types of 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

5. Types of Elections Elections are held at three levels; federal, state and local

6. Local Elections Local Offices Sheriff Tax Collector Superintendent of Schools Property Appraiser Supervisor of Elections

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

8. 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 – In Florida, the election for these positions will not be until 2014 Florida Governor Rick Scott

9. State Executive Branch Attorney General Chief Financial Officer Commissioner of Agriculture Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi

10. 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?

11. 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 re-elected at the end of their term based on a yes/no vote by citizens of the state Why is it important that citizens be able to vote to keep Justices appointed by the Governor?

12. State Elections Judicial State Attorney – 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

13. Federal Elections – Presidential Election This election occurs every four years – 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 and there is no limit on the number of terms a member of the U.S. Congress can serve.

14. The Party Tickets!! A party ticket is when one vote or election choice fills two offices or seats such as the Presidential ticket which chooses the U.S. President and Vice-President

15. The Issues 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