Political Parties Functions: Electing candidates Educating the public Involving people in the political process Operating the government Developing/implementing policy Government watchdog Some, not all

Selecting Candidates Three main ways for a person to get on a ballot: 1. Nominated by a state-recognized party Selected by delegates at national nominating conventions; sometimes after caucuses have been held An individual can seek the nomination of a political party. Presidential nominees are selected by delegates at national nominating conventions. Individual states conduct caucuses or primary elections to determine which delegates will be sent to the national convention

2. Run as an independent Must petition each state to have name printed on the ballot 2016: At least 880,000 signatures needed An individual can run as an independent. Independent presidential candidates typically must petition each state to have their names printed on the general election ballot. For the 2016 presidential contest, it was estimated that an independent candidate would need to collect in excess of 880,000 signatures in order to appear on the general election ballot in every state.[1]

3. Run as a write-in candidate Requirements vary by state; most often involve filing proper paperwork and fee File proper paperwork in advance & fee (34 states) Are not allowed for president (9 states) No proper paperwork needed (7 states)

Suffrage: The right to vote Being a Voter

Age The 26th Amendment declared voting rights for all who are at least 18 years of age

Citizenship Today, all states require a voting person to be a U.S. citizen

Residence Each state requires voters to live in a state or community for a certain period of time before being allowed to vote

Registration All states (except North Dakota) require citizens to register before voting Provide basic information about the voter Most be updated upon moving

Restrictions The mentally incompetent may not vote in any state

Convicted criminals cannot vote Jan. 2011, T. Branstad rescinded a law allowing people who had completed sentence, parole, probation, and paid any monetary fees owed, can vote.

Iowa - On Jan. 14, 2011, the Republican Governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad, issued executive order 70, rescinding a law allowing people convicted of a felony to automatically have their ability to vote restored after completing their sentences. The automatic voting restoration law had been instituted by former Democratic Governor Tom Vilsack's signing of executive order 42 in 2005. Felons in Iowa must now pay all outstanding monetary obligations to the court in addition to completing their sentence and period of parole or probation. People convicted of a felony may then apply for restoration of the ability to vote.

Some states require a photo ID to vote If you are registering to vote on election day, you must show a photo id and proof of residence. All other voters may use a photo ID or non-photo ID Where do I go to vote on election day? You need to go to the polling place for your precinct. To find your polling place, visit Find Your Precinct/Polling Place. ↑ Back to Top Do I need my voter registration card to vote at the polls on election day? No. You are not required to produce your voter registration card to vote at the polls on election day. Do I need to take identification with me to the polls? Maybe. You are encouraged to always bring identification with you when you vote. You may be asked to show identification if: You registered to vote by mail after January 1, 2003, and have never voted in a Primary or General election in your county, You have moved from where you are registered to vote, Your right to vote has been challenged, or The precinct election officials do not know you. If asked to show identification, you may use a current and valid photo ID or any of the following documents if they show your name and current address: Current utility bill (including cell phone bill), Current bank statement, Current paycheck or government check, or Other current government document.

Kinds of Elections Partisan Elections Nonpartisan Elections When candidates represent political parties Nonpartisan Elections When candidates for office are not identified by party membership Nonpartisan: Mayor, city council members, county officials, school board members Partisan: President, senators, representatives, governors, etc.

Primary Elections Special Elections Elections to choose candidates to represent a party in the general elections Special Elections Come unexpectedly before a regular election is due Iowa: The primary is closed, but voters are allowed to change their political party affiliation on election day Run-off Primaries: when voters decide between two top vote-getters if no candidate receives a majority of the votes (9 states) open primaries: when all qualified voters can vote, regardless of party affiliation \Closed Primaries: only voters who have identified themselves as party members may vote (75% of states) Closed Primaries (75% of states) Open Primaries Congress must also ensure a smooth succession to the next person to serve. In the House, the Clerk assumes control of the vacant seat and directs the staff, who remain in the House’s employ. Although the constituents of the district do not have a Member who can vote for them, the staff is still available to help them with casework and to provide information on legislation. In the Senate, the Secretary is responsible for closing the vacant office, and staff are kept on the payroll for 60 days, unless the term would have expired sooner or the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration determines that the closing will take longer than two months. Per the U.S. Constitution, House vacancies are only filled via special elections, but state legislatures may empower their governors to fill Senate vacancies until a special election can be held. (seat vacancies)

Initiatives: Proposing news laws by petitions Referendums: Voters accept or reject a local or state law Recalls: Removing a state or local officials early Less than half the States currently allow the People the right to Initiative, Referendum and Recall. ALL States must fight for this right! States which do not allow the People's right to Initiative and Referendum include: Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The Initiative and Referendum process is available to most all municipalities in every state. The practice dates back to ancient Greece. It appeared in America in 1777 when the Georgia state constitution provided a means to adopt amendments with the voters' consent. In 1898, South Dakota granted its voters the right to initiate all forms of legislation.

General Elections Regularly scheduled elections to select local, state, or national officials Always held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November Can be on people and issues Always held in even numbered years

The Election Every voter lives in a precinct Voters cast their ballots at polling places

The “Australian Ballot” has been in use since 1888 Printed at public expense Anonymous in appearance Lists all possible candidates Offered at polling places to all qualified Some places use computerized voting machines though it comes in variations as well If I don't want to vote for every race, will my ballot be counted? Yes. You may choose which races you want to vote for on your ballot. For example, some voters only want to vote for president and vice president. The races and public measures you choose to vote on will be counted and the races and public measures you do not vote on will not be counted.