Candidates and Voting

Focus Students will: Identify and describe four ways party candidates are chosen Describe the election process at the primary and national levels State the requirements for voting in Utah

Words to KNow Precinct: Voting District Ward: Several precincts put together Political Party: A group of individuals with similar political interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy Platform: A statement of a political party’s beliefs and positions on vital issues Plurality: The largest number of votes in an election of three or more candidates Majority: 50%+1 votes in an election

Selection of candidates Candidates are chosen to run for different offices Methods of Determining Candidate: Caucus Nominating Convention Petition Primary Election

Selection of Candidates Petition Person publicly announces candidacy Petition is filed with appropriate office (city/county/state) Must have a specific number of voters sign in show of support Often must have a background/credential check If petition checks out, candidate is on ballot

Selection of Candidates Caucus Private Meeting of party leaders and members Leaders choose the candidates for each elected office Members are chosen to represent a precinct at the state convention and support the candidates the leaders tell them to Criticized for not being democratic enough and allowing certain people to control the political process 19 states still use caucus system but modern caucuses look more like nominating conventions and direct primaries

Selection of Candidates Nominating Convention Official public meeting of a party Replaced caucus meetings – More openness Candidate is nominated by peers, seconded Can have a race against others or be sole nominee Either directly placed on ballot or sent to state convention Party bosses began dominating nominating conventions

Selection of Candidates Direct Primary Most used method today Evolved form in which candidates are chosen and a direct vote determines the winner/policy People vote from a variety of candidates in the party to represent the party for an elected office Closed Primary – only party members can vote Open Primary – open to all for a vote Governed by State Law: day to vote, requirements, etc.

Voting at the different levels Primary Elections: Determine all the candidates for each party Local candidates selected by local methods State candidates selected by state primary National candidates selected by national primary

Voting at the different levels Primary Election Basics Conventions began in 1832 Democrats: Use proportional representation of vote Example: If a candidate wins 60% of the popular party vote in the state, they get 60% of the democrat electoral votes Republicans: Some states use a proportional vote, most states are winner-take-all Primary Elections look like a smaller version of the national election but are only to determine the candidates for the elections in November

Voting at the different levels Once a candidate is selected: Must follow state laws to be places on ballot Begins campaigning against any challengers in the party Primary election to choose candidate for party General election follows, pits all candidates of all participating parties against each other for the elected office Elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November You will vote for whichever offices are up on the ballot for that year

National State President/Vice President Who Do We Vote For? National President/Vice President Senators and Representatives from the State for the national Congress State Governor/Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Treasurer Auditor Senators and Representatives for state Congress State School Board

Mayor Local Who Do We Vote For? Clerk Judges (if they should be retained) Surveyor County and City: Treasurer Commissioner Auditor Sheriff Mayor Attorney Assessor Local School Board Recorder Initiative/Referendum/Propositions/Bond Elections

State of Utah Requirements 1. Must be 18 2. Must be a citizen of the United States 3. Must live in Utah for 30 days before election 4. Must have proof of residency 5. Must register by mail, in-person, or online

You will be notified before of where you can vote Voting Vote in your precinct You will be notified before of where you can vote Early voting may take place Absentee ballots for people not in town/state when the vote takes place Example: Military deployed overseas

Voting When you vote: When you walk in: Must check in Signature challenge Identification cleared Go Into the Booth Given a ballot or use voting machine Private/Covered You can correct your vote Place to deposit ballot or machine will clear GET YOUR STICKER! Hope this doesn’t happen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoWJkrlptNs