1. Section Outline 1 of 8 Voting and Elections Section 1: Being a Voter I.General Elections II.The Basics of Voting III.Becoming an Informed Voter Color Transparency: Campaign Posters Section Reading Support Transparency

2. 2 of 8 Voting and Elections Section 1: Being a Voter Main Idea Elections give citizens a voice in government. To vote, you need to register and then go to a designated polling place on election day. Key Terms General election Registration

3. General Elections Two types of Elections —Primary elections Members of political parties nominate candidates. —General elections An election in which voters make final decisions about the candidates and issues This is how the approximately 500,000 public offices are filled. This is also how initiatives, recalls, and referendums are decided. 3 of 8 Voting and Elections Section 1: Being a Voter

4. 4 of 8 Voting and Elections Section 1: Being a Voter The Basics of Voting Registration —You must be a citizen, and at least 18 years of age. —Registration is designed to reduce fraud. When and Where to Vote —The Tuesday after the first Monday in November is the date for presidential and other federal elections. —Other elections take place at polling sites at various times, but mostly in the spring. Go Online: Voting Methods in the United States

5. 5 of 8 Voting and Elections Section 1: Being a Voter Becoming an Informed Voter To vote wisely, you must be an informed voter. —Find out all you can about the candidates. —What are their qualifications? —Where do they stand on issues that are important? Ballot Measures —Learn about the issues on the ballots. Why Vote? —In recent years, only about half of all eligible citizens have actually voted. —YOUR VOTE MATTERS! (Think of the 2000 presidential election.)

6. Voting and Elections: Section 1 Color Transparency: Campaign Posters 6 of 8

7. Voting and Elections: Section 1 Color Transparency: Campaign Posters 7 of 8 1. Identify the candidates who used these posters to get their messages to voters. John Kerry and George W. Bush 2. Why do you think candidates use posters to get their messages out to voters? Posters present the candidate’s name and an image designed to appeal to voters.

8. Voting and Elections: Section 1 Section Reading Support Transparency 8 of 8