1. Once Upon a Government
Electoral College

2. Who should win?
(Democrat) 50,999,897
(Republican)50,456,002

4. The Beginning
The Framers stated in the Constitution, that a group of selected Electors will choose the U.S. President
Later the name “Electoral College” was attached

5. How does it work?
The Constitution states that the # of Electors will equal the # of members in Congress
Plus the 23rd Amendment gives DC 3 votes
A total of 538 Electoral Votes
Each state gets the same # of Electoral votes as they have members in Congress

6. How does it work? The General Election is held
“The first Tuesday following the first Monday in November, even numbered years”
During the Presidential year we go to the Poll to select a candidate
By selecting the candidate, we are actually choosing the Electors

7. How does it work The President is NOT chosen by Popular Vote directly
The Electors, however, do vote for whichever candidate won the popular vote in their state
34 States have laws requiring this
Winner –Takes – All = Means that Electoral votes are NOT split between candidates
The candidates either wins all the Electoral Votes in a state or NONE

8. Georgia How many Electoral Votes does Ga get 16, Why?
The # is equal to the # of members we have in the US Congress

9. Why not Popular Vote
If we used Popular Vote, then the top populated states could choose the President every time and there would be no point in the smaller states voting
With the Electoral votes, the entire nation has a say so
2000 Election
Gore v. Bush

10. Electoral Votes There are a total of 538 The MAGIC # to win is 270!!!!
If there is a tie, the House of Representatives would break the tie

11. What happens next
Certificates (with the Elector’s names) called “Certificates of Ascertainment” are submitted the Governor should be sent by December 15th.
Electors should have cast their vote in the sealed envelope by December 24th---- The elector count of envelopes will be made by January 3rd.
The President of the Senate receives the votes—Congress will open and count each vote on January 6th .

12. Inauguration
The new or incumbent candidate takes the Oath of Office on January 20th at noon
Incumbent = returning/current candidate

13. Elections
Primary Elections = held to narrow down candidates to ONE per party
Primaries are not elections against the other party
They usually last Jan -June
Primaries help the political parties see who has the best chance of winning
Once the primaries end, each Political Party holds a Convention to official announce their candidate
RNC and DNC

14. Elections General Elections
When we actually vote on the final candidates in November
What all do we vote for?
Senators, House members, Electors, Judges, Governors, Referendums, etc
General (BIG) Elections are held every even numbered year
When it’s not a presidential year, we refer to this as “Off Year” Elections

15. Other Elections Special Election – held for very specific reasons
Ex – someone dies or is removed
Run-Off Election – a candidate did not receive 51% or more of the vote the first time. They hold another election

16. Elections Your State can also hold elections in Odd numbered years
Mayor, Sheriff, etc

17. Political Spectrum
When talking about Political views use the following terms, NOT the political party
Conservative
Liberal

18. Liberal v. Conservative
Tend to be more open minded
Favor more government assistance
Do not follow “old” ways
Accepts ideas like abortion, gay marriage, b/c they feel it should be the PERSON”S CHOICE, not the Gov’t choice
Shy away from Religion
Liberals TEND to vote Democrat
Conservative
Seen as “old fashioned”
Less gov’t assistance
Religion is necessary to curb evil
Tend to be against abortion and gay marriage
Favor Religion
Conservatives TEND to vote Republican

19. Liberal v. Conservative
Again, do not label your self with a party
Just because you may have more Liberal ideas, doesn’t mean you can’t have some Conservative ideas….and ViseVersa

20. Political Parties

21. Political Parties Two popular parties in US. Republican Democrat
There are also less popular THIRD parties
Green, Tea, Libertarian
Mascots
R = Elephant
D = Donkey

22. U.S. Political Spectrum
Which side of the spectrum do liberals and conservatives fall?
This is where we get the terms “Right Winged” and “Left Winged”

23. The Issues
I will list a number of different issues that are hot topics in our society and we will discuss which side Liberals tend to take and which side Conservatives tend to take

24. The Issues Abortion Liberals: Pro – Choice
It is a woman’s right to choose
Should be legal
Conservatives: Pro – life
It should not be legal
There are plenty of other options

25. The Issues Gun Control Liberals: More gun control laws are needed
Too many violent crimes with guns
Conservatives
Oppose gun control laws
Protection of 2nd Amendment

26. The Issues Military Liberals Decrease in military spending
Tend to oppose War on Terrorism
Conservatives
Increase military spending
Tend to be For War on Terrorism

27. The Issues Gay Rights Liberals
Supports gay rights and civil liberties - Right to Choose
Not the gov’t place to tell you who you can marry
Conservatives
Believe marriage should be between a man and a woman
Biblical View

28. The Issues Death Penalty Liberals
Do not agree with taking someone's life as a means of discipline
Conservatives
The death penalty is a necessary evil to curb violent crimes

29. The Issues Prayer in School Liberals
Separation between church and state
No prayer in school—it’s ok to pray if you choose, but not forced
Conservatives
It’s apart of our nation’s culture to place prayer in school
Rise in immorality in schools without prayer

30. How can I vote? Each state sets requirements –but most are the same
GA 1. Be a citizen of the United States
2. Be a legal resident of Georgia and of the county in which you want to vote
3. Be 18 years old within six months after the day of registration, and be 18 years old to vote,
4.Not be serving a sentence for having been convicted of a felony
5. Not have been judicially determined to be mentally incompetent, unless the disability has been removed

31. Where do I register?
You can register online, the DMV, and other government buildings
You will receive a voter registration card—tells you polling place
What if I forget
Polk County Election Supervisor Polk County Administration Bldg West Avenue Cedartown, GA  Telephone: (770) Fax: (770)