Voting in America

Today’s Goals: To develop and/or expand your understanding of the electoral processes of the American political system. To help develop a strong foundation that will hopefully inform your choices and encourage civic participation.

Today’s Agenda: Brief exploration of voting history in America History of America’s voting rights in America Primary Election vs. General Election The popular vote vs. the Electoral College (no, this is not a real college you can attend!). Evaluating trends in voter turnout in the United States. Voting: Right or Privilege? Fair or Unfair? Obstacles to Voting: Incarceration, Homelessness and Gerrymandering Conclusions and final thoughts

Brief exploration of voting rights in America: U.S. Constitution did not originally define who was eligible to vote. - Most states – only white male property owners could vote. - Women and African Americans could vote in NJ (1797-1807) - By 1856, all white men were allowed to vote. Voting rights extended: - 15th Amendment – non-white men - 19th Amendment – women - 24th Amendment – ended poll tax - 26th Amendment – ages 18-21

The Electoral College vs. the Popular Vote: Electing a President and Vice President: Electoral College: each state has a group of people called electors who cast the actual votes for president. When people vote for a presidential candidate, they are really voting to decide which candidate the electors in their state will vote for. (Article II, Section 1, Clauses 2 and 4) Popular Vote: A tally of all the votes citizens have cast in the presidential election. Vice President Before 12th Amendment (1804) – 1st place = President, 2nd place = Vice President After 12th Amendment (1804) – President and VP run for office together.

Electoral Votes Per State

2000 Presidential Election

Primary Election vs. General Election: Primary vs. General Election This is the main election, held between the winners of the various primary elections. The general election is held every four years. The ballot includes the political party nominees and any official candidates who do not have a political party affiliation. An election in which people vote for the presidential candidate they want to represent their political party in the national election

2016 Primary Election Delegate Count (6/21/16)

Voting: Right or Privilege? Fair or Unfair?

What is the difference between a right and a privilege? Privilege (n): a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people Right (n): That which is due to anyone by just claim, legal guarantees, or moral principles. Responsibility (n): Being answerable or accountable for something within one's power, control, or management.

Obstacles/Restrictions to Voting: Disabled voters - inadequate accommodations at the polls – a lack of parking, large crowds and long waiting times – often keep the disabled from exercising their votes. Homelessness - may register to vote by using the location of where they sleep as their address. This could be a shelter, a friend's place or outside. If it is outside, the voter should write a description of its location on line four of their voter registration application. Prisoners – voting eligibility defined by individual states (estimated 5.9 million Americans are denied the right to vote because of a felony conviction).

Gerrymandering: drawing political boundaries to give your party a numeric advantage over an opposing party