1. Taking Part in Government

2. Voting-democracy in action
Most important opportunity to participate in government
Voting determines the actions government will take
Making clear our opinions on public issues and the candidates we want to tackle those issues
Voting is an important right and responsibility, but the U.S. has some of the lowest voting turn outs in the world!
Voting-democracy in action

3. The importance of every vote is demonstrated by two presidential elections:
Charles Evans Hughes lost the 1916 election to Woodrow Wilson by a difference of 3,773 votes in California
Al Gore lost the state of Florida in 2000 by votes
Ralph Nader (third party candidate) gained over 100,000 votes in Florida
Every vote counts!

4. State Qualifications for Voting
Qualifications for voting vary among states
Constitution forbids any state to deny a citizen the right to vote on the basis of race, color, or sex
People who generally cannot vote:
Prison inmates convicted of serious crimes
Mentally incompetent
Election-law violators
People with no established residence
State Qualifications for Voting

5. All states require voters to register before election day
Most registration is permanent- you only have to register once unless you move somewhere else
Some states require you to re-register before each election or at regular intervals
When you register to vote, you are formally affiliating yourself with a political party
Registering to Vote

6. Primary Elections Two separate elections
Primary- voters choose candidates from each party who will later run in the general election
General- voters actually choose their leaders
Two types of primary elections:
Closed- only registered voters can vote (Independent voters cannot vote in these primary elections)
Open- you can vote for any candidate in any party
Primary Elections

7. Independent Candidates
Usually only receive grassroots support (from individuals at the local level rather than from large organizations or national parties)
Don’t get elected as often as major-party candidates
Independent Candidates

8. Election day: first Tuesday after the first Monday in November on even- numbered years
President- every 4 years
Congress- every 2 years
Election day represents the great responsibility and privilege of U.S. citizenship
Various ways to stay informed of candidates
General elections

9. Voice vote: people would verbally announce who they were voting for to election officials at the polling place
Easy to intimidate or persuade others- not a good system
1888- secret ballots were adopted
Your vote would remain private- helps elections be fair and honest
Voting in the past

10. Voting today Voting is still a private matter today
Other forms of ballots exist rather than paper ballots
Straight ticket- voting for candidates from one party only
Split ticket- voting for candidates from different parties
People who are more informed of the candidates and issues usually vote split tickets
Law states that employers must give employees time to go vote
Polling places must also stay open to allow everyone there a chance to vote
Voting today

11. Taking Part in political Campaigns
Volunteers can work for political campaigns
Go door to door or call people for donations
Hand out legislation on the candidates they’re supporting
Stuff, address, and mail envelopes to voters
Can baby-sit or take care of errands while people go vote
Taking Part in political Campaigns

12. Interest Groups and Political Campaigns
Interest groups are prohibited by law from contributing money DIRECTLY to candidates
Instead, they contribute money to political action committees (PACs)
PACs collect donations and use the money to fund candidates they favor
National Education Association PAC
American Medical Association PAC
Realtors PAC
Interest Groups and Political Campaigns

13. Contacting Public Officials
Writing letters or s to public officials is an excellent way to voice your opinion on issues
It is their job to listen to you!
Quality of life in towns and cities largely depends on how well politicians serve their constituents
Important for Americans to actively participate in politics
Community groups and neighborhood associations make it easier for citizens to bring about improvements and change in their communities
Bottom line: citizen involvement helps make democracy work!
Contacting Public Officials

14. When it comes to voting, what does the Constitution forbid states to do?
When you register to vote, what are you doing?
What is the difference between primary and general elections?
When is national election day? What is the difference between straight tickets and split tickets?
What do political action committees (PACs) do?