The Election Process Teach me how to use it! I have a voice...

What is the "Election Process" Anyway? Video- The Almost Painless Guide to the Election Process Video- The Almost Painless Guide to the Election Process Tell students that a quiz will follow the video. (Give students 5 minutes at end of quiz to “talk to a friend” if they are stuck on a question!)

History of Voting Today’s Election: Any citizen of the United States who is over 18, is registered, and is not a felon can vote. I wonder… was it always this way? 1774: When America was founded, only white male property-owners could vote.

1870: 15st Amendment gave equal opportunity suffrage to all men, regardless of race. What about women? Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s suffrage for most of her life. She is considered an American hero and even has her own coin! 1920: 19th Amendment gave all women the right to vote.

History of Voting So, by 1920… All men could vote. All women could vote. Who’s left??

YOU!

Until 1971, no child under 21 could vote. When did this change and why? The 26th Amendment! Clue: This amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. What could have caused them to change the Constitution for just a 3 year age difference?

Do YOU have citizenship? How To: Become a Voter Obtain Citizenship by: Being born in the United States Becoming a citizen through a process called “Naturalization” Have parents who are citizens Requirements: Must be a citizen Must be registered to vote Must be 18 years or older Check: Do YOU have citizenship? Stop “Requirements” video at 30 seconds! Check: Can YOU vote?

Wow… that’s a lot of work. Are our candidates up for it? Running for Office Candidate announces plan to run for office. Candidate campaigns to win delegate support. Primary elections take place in the states. Nominee for president is announced at national party conventions. Citizens cast their votes. The electoral college casts its votes. The president is inaugurated. Wow… that’s a lot of work. Are our candidates up for it?

Political Parties Democratic Party Republican Party

Presidential Election- 2008 Student worksheet- answer questions by looking at the screen. Discuss as a group.

Third Party? What is this craziness about there being more than just the Democratic and Republican Parties? Click here to find out! What is this craziness about there being more than just the Democratic and Republican Parties? Click here to find out!

How To: Get Elected Vote for me! Make yourself known! Speeches Posters Television Appearances Campaign promises regarding current issues Get more electoral votes than the other guy! Students will write a speech for their class candidate to be reviewed for use by candidate. The student will also create a poster encouraging others to vote for their candidate.

What issues do you have an opinion about? How To: Participate If you are not old enough to vote, you can participate by… Discussing candidates and current issues Writing to candidates or present office holders with ideas and questions. Becoming a campaign volunteer. Creating political cartoons to express your opinions. Distribute “Political Cartoon” worksheets to students to complete for homework. (find issues facing the world that would be meaningful to students!) Brainstorm: What issues do you have an opinion about?

What is this saying?

Immigration Poverty Recycling Violence

Section A K.A. M.G. E.B., B.S. J.B. J.F. D.H., C.A. A.P. E.W. G.S. Immigration 1. K.A. M.G. E.B., B.S. 2. J.B. J.F. D.H., C.A. Poverty 3. A.P. E.W. G.S. 4. C.A. S.O. P.F. Recycling 5. D.B. A.T. S.G. 6. P.W. A.M. E.Z. Violence 7. Q.B. M.K. J.G. 8. C.K. H.S. R.W.

Section B Z.B. L.P. D.H. S.D. A.S. S.H. R.E. C.S. C.A. E.G. N.D. H.K. Immigration 1. Z.B. L.P. D.H. 2. S.D. A.S. S.H. Poverty 3. R.E. C.S. C.A. 4. E.G. N.D. H.K. Recycling 5. K.C. D.D. T.M. 6. D.W. C.W. D.S, A.R. Violence 7. T.F. I.Y., R.V. 8. W.G. Z.H. E.W., A.C.

Section C M.D. T.H. B.E., B.W. N.F. B.M. T.P. J.P. R.S. B.W. I.C. C.S. Immigration 1. M.D. T.H. B.E., B.W. 2. N.F. B.M. T.P. Poverty 3. J.P. R.S. B.W. 4. I.C. C.S. M.L. Recycling 5. R.A. B.D. S.G. 6. Z.B. T.G. S.M. Violence 7. G.W. M.K., D.S. 8. T.M. R.W. H.S.

Be the first to “buzz in” and receive a point for your team! Vocabulary Review Be the first to “buzz in” and receive a point for your team! Students work in groups to practice vocabulary, then we will play the whole-class review.

Anyone born in the United States. Citizen: Anyone born in the United States.

Primary: An election where voters choose a political party’s candidate for an upcoming general election.

The most basic level of support for a candidate or an issue. Grass Roots: The most basic level of support for a candidate or an issue.

A method for citizens to pass legislation. Initiative: A method for citizens to pass legislation.

A method for citizens to remove someone from office. Recall: A method for citizens to remove someone from office.

Naturalization: The process through which an alien can become a citizen of the United States.

Campaign: An organized effort in which an individual citizen seeks election to political office.

Absentee Ballot: It allows citizens who are not able to vote on election day the opportunity to vote by mail-in ballot.

Political Party: A group of citizens united by common goals and beliefs, that strives to get its candidates elected to public office.

Suffrage: The right to vote.

General Election: An election in which candidates are elected at the local, state, and national levels.

Someone who wants to or is nominated or qualified to hold an office. Candidate: Someone who wants to or is nominated or qualified to hold an office.

Someone born outside the United States. Alien: Someone born outside the United States.

And the candidates are... A. CHRIS ADAMS! B. COLT SHEPLER! “Brubaker Party” B. COLT SHEPLER! “Law Party” C. NATHANAEL FADIL! “Guenin Party”

Campaign Posters Don’t forget to include: Candidate’s Name Candidate’s Party Why the public should vote for him What he will do if elected as president What activities he is involved in Political Party Symbol