1.  General Election- Elections when candidates are elected into office.  Primary Election- Voters choose between candidates within the same party to see who will run for office in the General Election.  Canvassing- The process of going door to door to get people to vote for their candidate.  Polling Place- Place where voting in a district in carried out.  Initiative- 1 st step in the process of citizens forcing a vote on a law or issue, usually by gathering enough citizens to sign a petition.  Referendum- When a community votes on the law or issue.  Apathy- Not caring about something. Main reason for people not voting.

2.  Why should you exercise your right to vote? Why is it important?

3.  EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEMOCRAT AND A REPUBLICAN? HOW WOULD YOU CATAGORIZE YOURSELF? WHAT ISSUES DO YOU FEEL MOST STRONGLY ABOUT?

5.  In a primary election voters choose between candidates within the same party.  The candidate who receives the most votes receives the party’s nomination.  If there are several candidates running a run-off may be needed to decide a winner.  A run-off election is needed if a candidate does not receive a majority.  This does not happen in a Prez. Election…Why? Who decides the winner if neither candidate receives a majority of electoral votes?

6.  Candidates are voted into office by a general election.  These elections are held in November of an election year  These elections are when voters choose between any Republican, Democrat, or Third party candidates for public offices.

7.  Some states like Iowa choose their party’s nominee by a caucus rather than a primary election.  In a caucus system party members hold meeting to choose delegates.  These delegates choose other delegates to vote in favor of nominating a certain candidate at the national convention.

8.  All national and state elections are partisan.  It is clearly stated on the ballot what party a candidate belongs to.  However, local and some state elections are non-partisan.  A candidate’s party is not listed on the ballot  What method do you think is better? Why?

9.  A recall election is an election where citizens vote to remove an official from office.  Happened in 2003 to Gov. Gary Davis of California  An initiative is when citizens force a vote on an issue by gaining enough signatures on a petition.  Propositions are when citizens vote on whether or not they support a policy or a change in a law.

10. 1. Primaries and Caucuses 2. National Convention 3. General Election 4. Electoral College

11.  Is the winner of a presidential election chosen directly by the people?  No, Electors to the Electoral College  Winner needs 270 our of 538 electoral votes  It’s a winner take all system  Problem?

13.  Although Al Gore won the popular vote, George W. Bush won the majority of electoral votes.  Gore: 267, popular vote: 50,996,039  Bush: 271, popular vote: 50,456,141

15.  In order to win an election candidates must have an effective campaign  Strategy for winning  Private Funding  Most campaign funding  Political Action Committee  $ given to the candidate from corporations, special interest groups or labor unions  Public Funding  Funding pool created by taxpayers  Candidates must raise $100,000 on own first  Can’t accept any private donations

16.  Canvassing  Volunteers you go door to door to try and get people to vote for their candidate

17. 1. Register to vote  Makes sure only qualified citizens vote, and vote only once 2. Go to the polling place (where voting is carried out) in your precinct (voting district) 3. Study a sample ballot (list of candidates on which you cast your vote) 4. Cast your vote!!!!  People who vote are called electorates

21.  Absentee ballot  Allows you to vote without going to the polls  Exp: elderly, sick and military

22.  The greatest concern are not the problems that exist but that a lack of concern among citizens will cause people to do nothing.

23.  Board of Elections  The Media!!!  Cast exit polls  Ask a sample of voters who they voted for when they leave the polls  This can cause voters to “jump on the bandwagon”…voting for a candidate who appears to be winning.

24.  EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DEMOCRAT AND A REPUBLICAN? HOW WOULD YOU CATAGORIZE YOURSELF? WHAT ISSUES DO YOU FEEL MOST STRONGLY ABOUT?

25. 1. Summarize the difference b/w general elections and primary elections. 2. What is a caucus? 3. What is the difference b/w partisan and non- partisan elections 4. What is a potential problem with the Electoral College? 5. Summarize difference b/w private and public funding 6. What are the steps in voting? Qualifications? 7. What can you do if you can’t get to the polls? 8. Who counts votes?

26.  What ideas can you think of that could get more people to show up and vote?