1. Polling Places -Polling Places -precinct based -Usually in schools, town halls, public places -open early and close late

2. General Elections -Elections are controlled by the local Board of Elections -General Election held November--1 st Tuesday after 1 st Monday -Plurality---winning the most votes -majority---getting more than half of the votes -most popular votes (plurality) wins most elections -majority of electoral votes determine the winner of the Presidency

3. Voting on Issues -Initiatives -method where citizens propose a bill through a petition and place it on the ballot for a general election vote -Referendums -method of public approval for a proposed bill where the legislature temporarily passes a bill until the public is given a chance to approve or disapprove the bill

4. Casting Your Vote -must go to the polling place -I.D. is checked against list of registered voters -cast your vote paper ballots lever machines punch cards computer -you may encounter an exit poll

5. Types of Votes -Straight Ticket -voting only for one political party -Split Ticket -voting for candidates from either party -Absentee Ballot -Write-In Votes

6. Special Kinds of Elections -Referendums -Initiatives -Recounts -Run-Offs -Recalls