UNIT THREE| U.S. ELECTIONS KEY PROCESSES AND ROLES

DEFINITION FREE ELECTIONS Public elections uninfluenced either by hope or fear. Elections generally made by ballot, except those by persons in their representative capacities, which are viva voce. Provisions are often made by law, in several states, to prevent the interference during the election.

The RIGHT to VOTE The RIGHT TO VOTE describes the ability of the citizens to choose their own government. This cornerstone right of democracy appears five different times in the Constitution.

A RIGHT GIVEN TO ALL OVER TIME HISTORY OF THE VOTE Ratification (1788) – White males/21+ 14th Amendment (1868) – All males/21+ 15th Amendment (1870) – All races/colors/stations 19th Amendment (1920) – All sexes 23rd Amendment (1961) – District of Columbia 26th Amendment (1971) – Age to18+

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS NUMBER OF THE VOTERS 2012 Obama vs. Romney - 58.2% 2008 Obama vs. McCain - 60.6% 2004 Bush vs. Kerry - 60.1% 2000 Bush vs. Gore – 51.7%

PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION NOVEMBER 8, 2016 Primaries and Caucuses are elections that commit party delegates to certain candidates based on popular vote. Delegates attend national party conventions where they formally nominate candidates.

PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION SUPER DELEGATES A "superdelegate" is a delegate to the Democratic National Convention or Republican National Convention that is seated automatically, based on their status as current (Republican and Democratic) or former (Democratic only) party leader or elected official. Other superdelegates are chosen during the primary season. All the superdelegates are free to support any candidate for the nomination. 712 superdelegates at their national convention. That’s out of a total of 4,051;the Republican Party will have 168 superdelegates out of 2,472,

PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION ELECTORAL COLLEGE A body of 538 electors established by Article II of the Constitution. Each state has as many electors as representatives and senators in congress. Votes actually voting to empower electors to elect a particular candidate. The nominee must capture 270 votes. If no candidate receives a majority (or ties) the election moves to the HOUSE. Each state delegation casts one vote for any of the top candidates. Once elected, Congress meets on January 6th and makes the election official.

HOMEWORK due October 10th Read Domestic Policy: Defense and Security Complete Reading Guide Watch Vice-Presidential Debate. Tue, Oct 4, 2016, at Longwood University in Farmville, VA. The vice- presidential debate is divided into nine 10-minute segments. Moderated by Elaine Quijano of CBS News. Complete Debate Viewing Guide.