The French and Indian War

Voting and Elections Chapter 11

Mr. FerroUS History

Who Can Vote?Lesson 1Essential Questions:What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens?

It Matters Because:The right to vote spread slowly to more and more people.

Guiding Question: What are the requirements to vote?Throughout history most people did not choose their rulersPeople had powerful rulers such as kings and queens

In the United States Citizens have the right to vote for their leaders One of the most treasured rights

Expanding SuffrageThe Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equalThis principle or belief has not always been achieved Suffrage- the right to voteThe right to vote was limited to only white, male landownersExcluded were :White males who did not own propertyAll women , African Americans, Native Americans, people under 21 years of ageAlice Paul (1885-1977)-suffragist

Voting Requirements TodayMany barriers to voting have been eliminated In most states some people are not eligible, or qualified to vote People who committed serious crimes and are still imprisonedPeople who suffer certain mental illnessNon-citizensAbraham Lincoln said we have:a government of the people, by the people, and for the peopleExtending The Right To Vote1870 Fifteenth AmendmentProhibits denying a persons right to vote on the Basis of race1960 Civil Rights Act of 1960Introduces penalties against anybody who obstructs an individuals voting rights

1929 Nineteenth Amendment Guarantees women the right to vote1961 Twenty-third AmendmentResidents of District of Columbia give the right to vote1924 Congressional Act All native Americans give citizenship1964 Twenty-fourth Amendment Outlaws poll tax in national elections Smith v. Allwright Supreme Court rules prohibiting African Americans from voting in primary elections is unconstitutional 1965 Voting Rights Act of 1965Literacy tests prohibited; Federal voter registrars authorized in seven southern states1957 Civil Rights Act of 1957Justice Department can sue to protect voting rights in various states

1970 Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970Lowers the minimum voting age to 18 in federal electionsExtending The Right To Vote1971 Twenty-sixth AmendmentMinimum voting age reduces to 18 for all elections1993 National Voter Registration Act Makes it easier to register to vote and to maintain registration 1975 Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1975Bans literacy tests and mandates bilingual ballots in certain areas 2006 Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006Prohibits use of tests or devices to deny the right to vote; requires certain jurisdictions to provide voting materials in multiple languages1982 Voting Rights Act Amendment of 1982Extends provisions of two previous voting rights act amendments1992 Voting Rights Language Assistance ActExtends use of bilingual ballots and voting Assistance Steps In the Voting ProcessGuiding Question: What steps must you follow to vote?Registering to VoteAll states except for North Dakota require citizens to register before they can vote Register- to officially sign up to vote Most states require you to register at least 25 days before the election Some states allow you to register on Election Day

Registering to VoteYou must fill out a formName, address, age Political party preferenceProvide drivers license, birth certificate, or other valid identificationProof of citizenshipSome states allow you to register by mailYou can download the formNational Voter Registration Act Requires states to let people register when they are renewing a drivers licenseMotor Voter law

Preparing to Vote Once you are registered you can voteYour vote is important and can determine the outcome of the election Affects the lives of many people Be informed about the issues Does the candidate stand for the things I think are important?Is the candidate reliable and honest?Does the candidate have relevant past experience?Will the candidate be effective in offices?Does the candidate have a real chance of winning?

Casting Your VoteMany states allow early votingCitizens can vote prior to Election DaySome states allow early voting by mailPolling Place- the place you go vote on Election DaySet up in schools, community centers, fire stations, libraries and moreEach precinct, or voting district, has one polling placeWhen you arrive your present some form of identification You cast your vote in secret

BallotBallot-is a list of the candidates names that shows their political party and the office they are seekingCould be a card that you punch holes Could be a computer touch screen Could be absentee ballotsCitizens who cannot get to polls vote absenteeMilitary personnel, people who are travelingVoters request an absentee ballot

Why Your Vote CountsGuiding Question- Why is it important to vote?Every vote counts equally Reasons to voteVoting is a right and a responsibilityVoting gives you a chance to choose your government leaders Voting allows you to express your feelings and opinions about current leaders Voting gives a voice in how your community, state and country is run Voting gives you positive attitudes about government and community

Understanding Voter ParticipationVoting is a right, responsibility and powerYet many Americans choose not to voteVoter Turnout- the percentage of eligible voters who actually vote If only 60 percent of eligible voters actually vote, turnout is 60Turnout rate is usually below 50 percent Low turnout is mainly due to apathyApathy- lack of interestTo busy, moved and didnt register, just not interestedLesson 2Elections and CampaignsGuiding Question- Why are there different types of elections in the American political system?People who hold elected office in the United States 435 Representatives100 Senators President and Vice President500,000 elected official in the United StatesGovernors and state officials Elections are a large part of American life Primary and General ElectionsThe first step in the election process is the primary election.Usually held in the spring or summerPurpose of the primary election is to choose one candidate from each partyCandidate is the person with the plurality of the votes (most votes)Some states require a majority

Elections Presidential Every 4 years Senate Every 6 six years One third of senate every 2 years House of Representatives all members every 2 yearsIf the election is too close a recount is demanded

Initiatives and ReferendumsPeople vote on issues Topics of public interest, matters of debate or disputeIssues can be put on the ballot so voters can approve or reject it.Two special processes give voters a direct voice in governingInitiative- is a process that lets voters propose new laws or amendments to state constitutions Need to gather enough signatures to place it on the ballotThe proposed law is a proposition (prop)Referendum- asks voters to accept or reject a law passed by the legislatureFor example, changes to the constitutionThese changes often involve new taxes or tax increases Some states allow recall electionsPeople vote on whether to remove an official from office Begins with people signing a petition An election takes placeIf there is a majority of votes, the official is removed from officeSometimes an official dies in office or steps downA special election might be heldElection does not take place a regularly scheduled time

Special Elections

Presidential Elections Guiding Question- How are Presidents elected?

Understanding the Electoral CollegePresidents are not directly elected by the people When voters cast their ballots they are actually electing special representatives called electorsElectoral College- a group of people named by the state legislature to select the president and vice president

Electoral CollegeEach state has as many electors as they have senators and representatives Florida has 27 representatives and 2 senators for a total of 29 electorsNationally there are 538 electors100 Senators + 435 Representatives + 3 Representing District of Columbia = 538 Electors The candidate that wins the majority of electoral votes, wins the election (at least 270)Popular vote- the votes cast by individual voters, as apposed to electoral voteThe purpose of popular vote is to choose the electors The Electoral College Process TUESDAY AFTER FIRST MONDAY IN NOVEMBEROn Election Day, voters cast ballots for a slate of electors pledged to a particular presidential candidateMONDAY AFTER SECOND WEDNESDAY IN DECEMBER Winning electors in each state meet in their state capitals to cast their votes for president and vice president. A statement of the vote is sent to Washington D.C. JANUARY 6Congress counts electoral votes. A majority of electoral votes is needed to win (270 out of 538)JANUARY 20The candidate receiving majority of electoral votes is sworn in as president of the United States Criticisms of the Electoral CollegeWinner-take-all system- the candidate who wins the popular vote in the state receives all the states electoral votes Its possible to nationally win the popular vote and still lose the electoral votes Its extremely difficult for third party candidates to be represented in the electoral college The Constitutions set up the Electoral CollegeIt is a compromise, electors choose the president, but the popular vote chooses the electors In order to change the system, the Constitution has to be amended Running for OfficeNeeds to meet requirementsNatural-born citizenAt least 35 years oldLived in the United States at least 14 years Set up exploratory committeeFind out how much support the candidate is likely to get Several people from each party compete in primaries Delegates are chosenDelegates at the conventions choose the party candidate Campaigning After the convention the candidate hits the campaign trailSpeeches, interviews, community events, debates, answer voters questions Canvas- to seek votes from voters Door-to-door, telephone, Internet, television, radio, signs, buttons, etcEndorsements- public support from people and groups

Campaign FinanceLocal campaigns cost thousands of dollars State campaigns cost hundreds of thousands of dollars Presidential campaigns cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Most of the money comes from donationsIndividuals, corporations, unions, private groups Political Action Committees (PACs)An organization set up by interest groups to collect and direct money to candidates and their campaignsMany Americans believe there is too much money in campaigns. Candidates will want to help the biggest donors