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Editable presentation about Election 2014 for classroom
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www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation
Election 2014
Teachers: this is an editable presentation. Use only the slides that apply to your location and grade levels. Please check the website for the student candidate guide, curriculum, vocabulary, essential questions, and other tools. www.generationnation.org
www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation
www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation
Election vocabulary
Election - Organized, fair process for choosing officialsVote - Make a decisionCandidate - A person running for officeOffice - An elected role in governmentReferendum - A public vote on a policy or issue
Find more vocabulary at www.generationnation.org/index.php/learn/entry/learning-opportunity-election-2014
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Political parties
Groups of people who have similar ideas
Major US political parties• Democrats www.democrats.org • Republicans www.gop.com • Libertarians www.lp.org
Some government offices are nonpartisan• The individual candidates can have political ideas but
don’t officially run as members of a political party
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NC ballot change
In 2014, political party candidates are listed in a different order on the ballot
Before 2014: political parties and candidates in alphabetical order
– Example: Kay, a Democrat, was listed before Thom, a Republican, because D comes before R
2014: candidate order is begins with the party whose Governor won the last election
– Example: Thom, a Republican, is listed before Kay, a Democrat, because the Governor is Republican
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On the student ballot
Grades K-12– United States Senate
Grades 3-12– Mecklenburg County Commission At-Large– Referendum: Charlotte bonds and Mecklenburg sales tax
Grades 6-12– United States House of Representatives – Mecklenburg County Commission Districts– Mecklenburg County Sheriff– NC Senate and House (online ballot only)
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Learn about the candidates and issues
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U.S. Senate
Part of Congress, the governing body of the U.S.– Senate– House of Representatives
Senator– 6-year terms– Each state elects 2 senators (in different years)
Learn about the candidates www.generationnation.org/index.php/election/candidateguide2014
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Role of U.S. Senator
Responsibilities include– Represent North Carolina residents in Congress– Make decisions– Collaborate with other Senators– Work with the House to write and pass laws– Confirm Presidential nominations– Ratify treaties
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United States Senate
Candidates
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County government
A county is a unit of governmentCities and towns are located within counties
• 100 counties in N.C.
Each level of government has its own elected officials, staff, services, budget
City and county government have different roles• County services impact people: Health, safety, social services,
education, and environment• City services provide infrastructure: Roads, airport, public
transportation, economic development, neighborhoods, housing
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County Commission
Governing body for Mecklenburg County2-year terms9 total seats on County Commission
• 6 District: officials represent just one part of the community
• 3 At-Large: officials represent whole county
Learn about the candidates www.generationnation.org/index.php/election/candidateguide2014
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County Commission Role
Responsibilities include:– Adopt annual county budget; set property tax rate– Define county priorities and policies
– Public and mental health– Community safety, courts, jails– Education (CMS, CPCC, libraries, other education services)– Parks & Rec, greenways, air, water, recycling– Services for women, children, veterans, disabled, poor
– Hire the county manager, a professional who manages the daily operations of the county
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Mecklenburg County
County Commissioner – At-Large
Vote for 3 candidates
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City $146 million bond
Bond: a way for governments to borrow money to finance capital projects.
– Capital projects = construction and building
Citizens vote for or against the bonds in a ballot referendum.
2014 bond is for streets, housing, and neighborhoods
Learn about the bondwww.generationnation.org/index.php/election/candidateguide2014
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County Sales Tax
Sales Tax: a tax paid to a government on the sales of certain goods and services
• Taxes help to fund government budgets• Government budgets pay for public services
Now: Mecklenburg County sales tax is 7.25%• 4.75% goes to NC government, 2% is for local
government, and ½ % is for local public transit• If you buy a $10 shirt in Mecklenburg County, the total
cost would be 10.73, including the sales tax.Referendum: Increase the sales tax to 7.5%
• If approved, your $10 shirt would then cost $10.75.
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¼ Cent Sales Tax Increase
Mecklenburg sales tax referendumIncrease sales tax by ¼ of one cent
– Education – teacher pay at CMS and CPCC– Arts – arts, science, and history programs– Libraries – books, materials, library services
Learn about the sales tax referendum www.generationnation.org/index.php/election/candidateguide2014
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Get ready to vote!
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Read and learn
Start with an issue YOU care about– Education, environment, safety, transportation,
economy/jobs, children, neighborhoods, teachersFind information about the candidates
• GenerationNation Student Candidate Guide www.generationnation.org
– Includes candidate debate videos and other information• Charlotte Observer www.charlotteobserver.com
Educational resources and tools• www.generationnation.org/index.php/learn/entry/learning-opportunity-election-2014
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Read, think, decide
1. Learn about the candidates
2. Think about the information
3. Choose candidates you like best
4. Vote
5. After the election, keep track of the
candidates & their promises and actions
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Think
Does this information help me?Is it from a good, truthful source?Does it fit with other facts I know?How does it make me feel?Do I know enough to make a decision?
• If not, learn and read more• Tip: Focus on the individual candidates, their ideas and
solutions instead of political parties
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Choose a candidate
Review– What did each candidate say? Did they…
• Have ideas or solutions…• …or complain a lot?• Ask questions?
Decide– Which one do you agree with the most?– Based on the information you know, do you think
the candidate will do a good job?
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Vote
Who do YOU think should win in Election 2014? Make your voice heard!– K-12 students vote Oct. 21-Nov. 4– www.generationnation.org – Results announced November 4 (evening)
Voting options• Vote at school• Vote online, anywhere• Vote at Kids Voting booths at certain polling places on
Oct. 25, Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov. 4
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After the election Look for official election results
– Adult vote• Board of Elections www.meckboe.org and www.ncsbe.gov • Media www.charlotteobserver.com
– Student vote• www.generationnation.org and social media• Did students elect different candidates?
Keep track of the winning candidates– Do they keep their campaign promises?– Do they make good decisions?
Stay involved– Watch or attend government meetings, write letters or email officials– Teens, join the youth council www.generationnation.org/index.php/youthvoice
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