Elections in the U.S.

U.S. = Democracy Majority rules Republic- Leaders are chosen by voters to make government decisions.

How are these leaders chosen? Election- Formal process for choosing government leaders. Vote- Giving your opinion on who should be elected. Elections happen… Nationally (Ex: U.S. President) State wide (Ex: Governor of Minnesota) Locally (Ex: Mayor of Richfield)

Types of Elections… Primary Election – Members within political parties run against each other to become the nominee. General Election- Nominees from different political parties run against each other to be elected to an office. Vs. Vs.

Qualifications to vote in Minnesota U.S. citizen 18 or older No current felonies Qualifications to vote in Minnesota Not declared “mentally incompetent” by a court or judge Resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days before the election Must fill out a voter registration card

How do you vote? Step #1- Register to vote ahead of time or same-day (Bring your state ID or DL for same-day) Step #2- Find your correct polling place and go there (7 a.m.- 8 p.m.) Step #3- Fill out and submit your ballot

What’s on the ballot? Positions & Candidates running for them. Levy- Tax increase to help schools or other cause. Amendment- A permanent change to the Constitution.

Excuses given for NOT voting My vote won’t count Politics don’t effect me It doesn’t matter who gets elected I have to work I’ll be out of town on election day

Why get involved? (Write down 3) Make your voice heard Tell the government what laws you like/don’t like Sometimes elections are very close You can vote ahead of time by mailing in an absentee ballot It does matter who gets elected Laws that are passed do effect you

What’s the best color of Starburst candy? *Let’s vote on it…three different ways!

Ballot #1- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Put a check by your favorite one __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink Ballot #1- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Put a check by your favorite one __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink Ballot #1- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Put a check by your favorite one __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink Ballot #1- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Put a check by your favorite one __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink

Ballot #2- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Rank your favorites 1= favorite, 4 = least favorite __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink Ballot #2- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Rank your favorites 1= favorite, 4 = least favorite __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink Ballot #2- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Rank your favorites 1= favorite, 4 = least favorite __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink Ballot #2- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Rank your favorites 1= favorite, 4 = least favorite __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink

Ballot #3- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Put a check by your favorite one __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink Ballot #3- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Put a check by your favorite one __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink Ballot #3- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Put a check by your favorite one __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink Ballot #3- What’s the best color of Starburst Candy? *Directions: Put a check by your favorite one __Red __Yellow __Orange __Pink

Election Results First way Second way Third way

Voting for the best Starburst Candy Questions 1. How were the three ways similar? How were they different? 2. Which way of voting did you like the best? Why? 3. How is this activity related to elections in the U.S.?

Different ways of voting… Popular Vote- Citizens vote for a candidate, whoever gets the most votes wins. Ranked Choice Vote- Citizens vote by ranking their choices for candidate. Whoever gets more than 50% of the vote wins. Electoral Vote- Each state is given a certain number of points (electoral votes) based on its population. Citizens of each state vote for a candidate, special “Electors” from each state decide will win their state’s points.

Number of electoral votes- Assigned to each state based on population

Electoral College: For or Against? Voters don’t directly elect the president The candidate elected may not be preferred by the majority of Americans (Ex: 2000 Bush v. Gore) Makes it harder for more than two candidates to run for president It’s tradition There have only been a few issues with it throughout U.S. history Forces candidates to focus on getting support from a variety of states

Electoral Map Vocab Safe States- Usually votes for the same political party every Presidential Election. (Ex: California = Democrat) Battleground States- May change political party support depending on the candidate and election year. (Ex: North Carolina = 2008 Democrat, 2012 Republican)