1. Elections and Voting

2. Bell Ringer Answer the Following Questions: 1. What is the difference between Major Parties and Minor Parties? 2. What are the similarities and differences between Democrats and Republicans?

3. Election Process Election Process Focabulary Election Process Focabulary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6avsQKn gNk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6avsQKn gNk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6avsQKn gNk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6avsQKn gNk

4. Electoral College- Schoolhouse Rock Electoral College- Schoolhouse Rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyIFqf3XH 24 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyIFqf3XH 24 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyIFqf3XH 24 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyIFqf3XH 24 Electoral College in Plain English Electoral College in Plain English http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok_VQ8I7 g6I&feature=fvwrel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok_VQ8I7 g6I&feature=fvwrel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok_VQ8I7 g6I&feature=fvwrel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok_VQ8I7 g6I&feature=fvwrel Electoral College Electoral College http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUS9mM8 Xbbw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUS9mM8 Xbbw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUS9mM8 Xbbw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUS9mM8 Xbbw&feature=related

5. Vocab Vocab Incumbent: person holding political office Incumbent: person holding political office Constituents: A person that is represented by an elected official in government Constituents: A person that is represented by an elected official in government Nomination: the act or process of selecting a person to serve in political office Nomination: the act or process of selecting a person to serve in political office National Convention: A meeting that is held by each major party in the U.S. This meeting occurs every 4 years in August, and during this meeting, the Parties announce their Presidential nominees and policy ideas National Convention: A meeting that is held by each major party in the U.S. This meeting occurs every 4 years in August, and during this meeting, the Parties announce their Presidential nominees and policy ideas

6. Step 1: The nomination process ConventionPrimary Election Caucus PetitionSelf Announcement Open Primary Election Closed Primary Election Step 2: The General Election

7. General Election and Primary There are two different “steps” in the U.S. election process There are two different “steps” in the U.S. election process The first step involves the political parties choosing their nominations (aka Primaries) The first step involves the political parties choosing their nominations (aka Primaries) The second step is the final election. During this election, voters choose who they want to serve in a government office (aka general election) The second step is the final election. During this election, voters choose who they want to serve in a government office (aka general election) The primaries happen from January-June on election years (the even years) The primaries happen from January-June on election years (the even years) The General Election always happens in November The General Election always happens in November

8. 5 ways a person can be nominated Self announcement Self announcement Caucus Caucus Convention Convention Direct primary election Direct primary election Petition Petition Today, the most common way for a state party to nominate candidates is the primary election, the next most common way is for states to hold caucus meetings

9. Caucus Local communities hold small meetings to choose a party nominee Local communities hold small meetings to choose a party nominee At the meeting: At the meeting: The different candidates for the party are discussed The different candidates for the party are discussed The people at the meeting vote for their preferred candidate The people at the meeting vote for their preferred candidate The candidate who wins a majority of the votes from each caucus meeting wins the nomination The candidate who wins a majority of the votes from each caucus meeting wins the nomination

10. Caucus meeting Discussion + vote = final vote winner Caucus meeting Discussion + vote = final vote winner Caucus meeting Discussion + vote = final vote winner Caucus meeting Discussion + vote = final vote winner Caucus meeting Discussion + vote = final vote winner And the Winner is…. the person who got the most votes at each caucus meeting

11. Primary Election This is an election that is held in each state This is an election that is held in each state The purpose of the election is to pick the party’s nominees for different political offices The purpose of the election is to pick the party’s nominees for different political offices Most states: primary elections pick the nominees for Senate, House of Rep, Governor, and local offices as well Most states: primary elections pick the nominees for Senate, House of Rep, Governor, and local offices as well Primary election dates are established by the states Primary election dates are established by the states Open Primary and Closed Primary Open Primary and Closed Primary Open = elections that ANY voter can participate in Open = elections that ANY voter can participate in Closed = only registered voters of the Party can participate in this nomination election Closed = only registered voters of the Party can participate in this nomination election

12. Primary Election Depending on state party rules, delegates are proportioned in a couple of ways: Depending on state party rules, delegates are proportioned in a couple of ways: Proportional Representation: Voters choose the candidate they prefer and delegates are awarded based on the number of votes received. For example, a candidate that received 20% of the votes would get 20% of the delegates. Proportional Representation: Voters choose the candidate they prefer and delegates are awarded based on the number of votes received. For example, a candidate that received 20% of the votes would get 20% of the delegates. Winner Take All: (Only the Republican Party uses this method). The candidate that receives the most votes takes all of the delegates. Winner Take All: (Only the Republican Party uses this method). The candidate that receives the most votes takes all of the delegates.

14. The National Convention Both parties hold a national convention, and at this convention, the party nominee for President is officially announced Both parties hold a national convention, and at this convention, the party nominee for President is officially announced National conventions occur on the elections in which a President is nominated (every 4 years) National conventions occur on the elections in which a President is nominated (every 4 years)

15. Getting Elected… In order to be elected, most people first win their party’s nomination (during the primary election/caucus season) In order to be elected, most people first win their party’s nomination (during the primary election/caucus season) Then, they run against candidates in the general election Then, they run against candidates in the general election They must campaign before both election events They must campaign before both election events During the primary, Democrats run against Democrats, Republicans v. Republicans During the primary, Democrats run against Democrats, Republicans v. Republicans During the general election, Republicans run against Democrats During the general election, Republicans run against Democrats Of course, third parties can be on the general election ballot as well. Usually they do not run in a primary election Of course, third parties can be on the general election ballot as well. Usually they do not run in a primary election

19. Super Tuesday The Tuesday in which the greatest number of states hold their primary elections The Tuesday in which the greatest number of states hold their primary elections IN 2008, 24 states held their primary elections on February 5th IN 2008, 24 states held their primary elections on February 5th

22. What happens in Georgia? The National Primary season begins in February The National Primary season begins in February Georgia’s Primary Election Georgia’s Primary Election Open Primary Open Primary July 2010 July 2010 The nomination for the party’s candidates for the Governor’s election The nomination for the party’s candidates for the Governor’s election A runoff occurred in August A runoff occurred in August More recently, Georgia’s primary was held on March 6 th, 2012, which was Super Tuesday for the Republican primary this year More recently, Georgia’s primary was held on March 6 th, 2012, which was Super Tuesday for the Republican primary this year

23. National Elections National elections are held in November of every even-numbered year National elections are held in November of every even-numbered year The “Tuesday after the First Monday” in November The “Tuesday after the First Monday” in November This way, elections will never This way, elections will never Fall on Sunday Fall on Sunday Fall on the first day of the month Fall on the first day of the month States can set other dates for State-wide elections (like Governor), but most hold their elections at the same time as the national elections States can set other dates for State-wide elections (like Governor), but most hold their elections at the same time as the national elections

24. Becoming the President The Electoral College officially elects the President of the United States The Electoral College officially elects the President of the United States After the General Election occurs in November, electors cast their “official” vote After the General Election occurs in November, electors cast their “official” vote Each state receives a number of electors that is calculated by their representation in Congress Each state receives a number of electors that is calculated by their representation in Congress Senate seats (2) + House seats (depends on population) = total electors each state gets Senate seats (2) + House seats (depends on population) = total electors each state gets In GA, its 2 + 13 (House seats) = 15 Electoral College Votes In GA, its 2 + 13 (House seats) = 15 Electoral College Votes

25. Election Diagram (portfolio assignment) Directions: In your portfolio, create a diagram that shows the election process for National Elections in the U.S. government Directions: In your portfolio, create a diagram that shows the election process for National Elections in the U.S. government Your diagram must include: Your diagram must include: 1. The Primary contest step (election step) 1. Includes: Open primary elections, closed primary elections, and caucus meetings 2. National Convention 3. The general election step (election step) 4. Electoral College Also include: Also include: A definition of the step A definition of the step Who the candidates are running against (#s 1 and 3 ONLY) Who the candidates are running against (#s 1 and 3 ONLY) What they must do in order to move on the next step What they must do in order to move on the next step