Taking Part in Government

Voting-democracy in action Most important opportunity to participate in government Voting determines the actions government will take Making clear our opinions on public issues and the candidates we want to tackle those issues Voting is an important right and responsibility, but the U.S. has some of the lowest voting turn outs in the world! Voting-democracy in action

The importance of every vote is demonstrated by two presidential elections: Charles Evans Hughes lost the 1916 election to Woodrow Wilson by a difference of 3,773 votes in California Al Gore lost the state of Florida in 2000 by 500+ votes Ralph Nader (third party candidate) gained over 100,000 votes in Florida Every vote counts!

State Qualifications for Voting Qualifications for voting vary among states Constitution forbids any state to deny a citizen the right to vote on the basis of race, color, or sex People who generally cannot vote: Prison inmates convicted of serious crimes Mentally incompetent Election-law violators People with no established residence State Qualifications for Voting

All states require voters to register before election day Most registration is permanent- you only have to register once unless you move somewhere else Some states require you to re-register before each election or at regular intervals When you register to vote, you are formally affiliating yourself with a political party Registering to Vote

Primary Elections Two separate elections Primary- voters choose candidates from each party who will later run in the general election General- voters actually choose their leaders Two types of primary elections: Closed- only registered voters can vote (Independent voters cannot vote in these primary elections) Open- you can vote for any candidate in any party Primary Elections

Independent Candidates Usually only receive grassroots support (from individuals at the local level rather than from large organizations or national parties) Don’t get elected as often as major-party candidates Independent Candidates

Election day: first Tuesday after the first Monday in November on even- numbered years President- every 4 years Congress- every 2 years Election day represents the great responsibility and privilege of U.S. citizenship Various ways to stay informed of candidates General elections

Voice vote: people would verbally announce who they were voting for to election officials at the polling place Easy to intimidate or persuade others- not a good system 1888- secret ballots were adopted Your vote would remain private- helps elections be fair and honest Voting in the past

Voting today Voting is still a private matter today Other forms of ballots exist rather than paper ballots Straight ticket- voting for candidates from one party only Split ticket- voting for candidates from different parties People who are more informed of the candidates and issues usually vote split tickets Law states that employers must give employees time to go vote Polling places must also stay open to allow everyone there a chance to vote Voting today

Taking Part in political Campaigns Volunteers can work for political campaigns Go door to door or call people for donations Hand out legislation on the candidates they’re supporting Stuff, address, and mail envelopes to voters Can baby-sit or take care of errands while people go vote Taking Part in political Campaigns

Interest Groups and Political Campaigns Interest groups are prohibited by law from contributing money DIRECTLY to candidates Instead, they contribute money to political action committees (PACs) PACs collect donations and use the money to fund candidates they favor National Education Association PAC American Medical Association PAC Realtors PAC Interest Groups and Political Campaigns

Contacting Public Officials Writing letters or emails to public officials is an excellent way to voice your opinion on issues It is their job to listen to you! Quality of life in towns and cities largely depends on how well politicians serve their constituents Important for Americans to actively participate in politics Community groups and neighborhood associations make it easier for citizens to bring about improvements and change in their communities Bottom line: citizen involvement helps make democracy work! Contacting Public Officials

When it comes to voting, what does the Constitution forbid states to do? When you register to vote, what are you doing? What is the difference between primary and general elections? When is national election day? What is the difference between straight tickets and split tickets? What do political action committees (PACs) do?