CE 5e Chapter 10 Section 1 Mr. Collins and Mrs. Kozlik Voting CE 5e Chapter 10 Section 1 Mr. Collins and Mrs. Kozlik

Preparing to Vote Only citizens who register can participate in primary and general elections Citizens should also learn about the candidates and issues before voting If you register as a Republican or Democrat, you may vote in primaries

Qualifications to Vote in Virginia Citizen of the United States Resident of Virginia and the precinct in which you wish to vote 18 years of age by general election day

How to register in Virginia In person at the registrar’s office, at the Department of Motor Vehicles, or at other designated sites By mail application Voter registration closes 22 days before the election

At the Polls to Cast Your Votes As a registered voter, you vote at your precinct’s polls (6am-7pm). Voting is usually by computer, machine, or written ballot.

Some voting terminology… Straight ticket: vote for all the candidates within a single party Split ticket: voting for candidates in different parties Absentee ballot: vote before election day if you’re not going to be at the polls on election day

Terminology continued: Exit poll: News media and political workers ask voters who they voted for as they leave the polls Popular vote: votes cast directly by the people Electoral votes: chosen people who cast votes for the president

Factors in predicting which citizens will Vote Education Age Income

Election Facts The percentage of voters who vote in Presidential elections is usually higher than that of state and local elections Every vote counts (There have been elections that ended in ties)

Why Citizens Fail to Vote Lack of Interest (apathy) Failure to Register Feel that no candidate represents their interests **If you don’t vote, you’re giving your power to other voters that may not share your views.**

Mass Media’s Role in Elections (Write this down!) Identifying candidates Emphasizing selected issues Writing editorials, political cartoons, op-ed pieces Broadcasting different points of view

Strategies for Evaluating Campaign Tactics Separating fact from opinion Detecting bias Evaluating sources Identifying propoganda