Transcript Steps in Voting

“Let us never forget that government is ourselves. The
ultimate fundamental rulers of our democracy are the
voters of this country.”
--Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Voting and
Elections
Chapter 10
Why Vote?
Right of American citizenship
 Major responsibility
 Failing to do so, failing to carry out a
civic responsibility
 Handing over share of political power
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Restrictions

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Then
 White, adult, males, and property
owners
 Had to be at least 21
Now
 No state may deny the right to vote
because of race, color, gender, or age
 Must be at least 18
Voting
- voting is a civic responsibility
- In it’s history the U.S. has barred certain people from
voting
- Most states require that you register to vote
- several days before elections (varies from state to
state)
- fill out form obtained from county
- Motor-Voter Act – can register to vote when you renew
drivers license
- can register as a member of a political party
- allows you to vote in primaries (if Dem. or Rep.)
- 1st time voters must show proof of age, citizenship and
address
Steps in Voting
- Polling place – place you vote
- voter registration is checked by reps. from major parties
- vote on a ballot in booth (secret ballot)
- voting machines may be used
- butterfly ballots – caused confusion among voters in Florida in
2000 election
- punch card ballots – were misread by machines in 2000
election
- you can vote a straight ticket – vote for everyone from 1
political party
- you can vote a split ticket – vote for candidates from both
parties
- Absentee voting – vote before an election if your going to be
away – counted on election day.
Butterfly Ballot
Punch Card Ballot
Counting the Vote
- votes are counted and returns (results) are reported to
election board.
- in major elections the media tries to predict winners
- exit polls – asking voters how they voted when
they leave the polling place
- T.V. networks predict the winners (controversial – time
zones)
- If you vote, be prepared – research candidates
- A major reason people don’t vote is apathy -(lack of
interest)
- education and income effect voting
Types of Elections
General Elections
Primary
Presidential
Voting on Issues
Referendum
Initiative
Special Elections
Runoff
Recall
Presidential Elections
- decided by electoral college
- winner take all system
- states have a # of electors
equal to the # of senator and
reps they have in Congress
- 538 total electors – 270
needed to win
- can lose popular vote and
win presidency – 2000
election
Running for office
- Lots of $ is required when running for a major office
- Campaign workers try and convince people to vote for
their candidate.
-Canvassing – when campaign workers travel
through communities campaigning
- Endorsements – famous people speak for
candidate
- propaganda – used to persuade
voters to choose 1 candidate over another
Financing a Campaign
-Financing a Campaign
- most $ comes from private donors
- PAC’s (Political Action Committees) set up
by interest groups to collect $ to support
candidates
- Political parties can raise soft money –
money raised for general purposes, not for
a specific candidate
Political Machine
A corrupt organization that
controls who gets elected from
a particular area.
Most famousTammany Hall led
by “Boss” Tweed
Advantages of Incumbents
Incumbent- person who is currently in
office.
1- Name recognition
2- Easier to raise money- people want to
give money to people who are most likely
to win.
OR
How Parties Nominate Candidates
Each party usually has multiple candidates
wanting to get elected to a position- they
must narrow it down to one candidate.
Ways to get to one nominee
1- Primary Elections
2- Caucus- party meeting- Iowa
is most famous
Types of Primaries
1- Open Primary
Any registered voter can participate in
an open primary.
2- Closed Primary
Only voters registered as a member of
that party can vote in the parties primary
Why?
Stops crossover voting for the other
parties weakest candidate.
Deciding Elections
Plurality- the person with the most votes
wins
Majority- Must have one more than half to
win.
If no candidate gets more than half and a
majority is required then we have a
runoff election between the 2
candidates with the most votes
Coke
Diet Coke
Sundrop
Cherry Coke
32%
15%
33%
20%
Pepsi
53%
Diet Pepsi 10%
Dr. Pepper 29%
Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi 8%
1. If a plurality is required who would win in both parties?
2. If a majority is required who would win for both parties?
3. Is there a winner in all these situations?
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhMgy
894v5Q