1. Polling Places -Polling Places -precinct based You vote in your local area, -Usually in schools, town halls, public places -open early and close late In NC 7:30-7:30

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 (270 to win, House of Rep. Pick president if no one gets majority)

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 For example Alcohol being allowed to be sold in Asheboro, and Erwin, but being denied in Coats -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 For example the NC Lottery: the Legislature proposed it but let the people vote on whether they wanted it or not

4. Casting Your Vote -must go to the polling place -I.D. is checked against list of registered voters If you are not on the list you cannot vote -cast your vote paper ballots****what's used in Harnett County and most common lever machines: out of date punch cards: not used since debate over 2000 election computer: most debated because technology can fail and information can be lost -you may encounter an exit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: Casting a vote when you can not make it to the polling place on election day, you need to mail it in -Write-In Votes: you can write any persons name in for election: Write-ins have never one a major election

6. Special Kinds of Elections -Referendums -Initiatives -Recounts: this happens if the difference between the candidates is less then 1 % -Run-Offs: This happens when no one gets the majority and that is required, they have another election so someone can get 51% -Recalls: the removal of a public official from office