1. Candidates and Voting

2. Focus
Students will:
Identify and describe four ways party candidates are chosen
Describe the election process at the primary and national levels
State the requirements for voting in Utah

3. Words to KNow
Precinct: Voting District Ward: Several precincts put together Political Party: A group of individuals with similar political interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy Platform: A statement of a political party’s beliefs and positions on vital issues Plurality: The largest number of votes in an election of three or more candidates Majority: 50%+1 votes in an election

4. Selection of candidates
Candidates are chosen to run for different offices Methods of Determining Candidate: Caucus Nominating Convention Petition Primary Election

5. Selection of Candidates
Petition
Person publicly announces candidacy
Petition is filed with appropriate office (city/county/state)
Must have a specific number of voters sign in show of support
Often must have a background/credential check
If petition checks out, candidate is on ballot

6. Selection of Candidates
Caucus
Private Meeting of party leaders and members
Leaders choose the candidates for each elected office
Members are chosen to represent a precinct at the state convention and support the candidates the leaders tell them to
Criticized for not being democratic enough and allowing certain people to control the political process
19 states still use caucus system but modern caucuses look more like nominating conventions and direct primaries

7. Selection of Candidates
Nominating Convention
Official public meeting of a party
Replaced caucus meetings – More openness
Candidate is nominated by peers, seconded
Can have a race against others or be sole nominee
Either directly placed on ballot or sent to state convention
Party bosses began dominating nominating conventions

8. Selection of Candidates
Direct Primary
Most used method today
Evolved form in which candidates are chosen and a direct vote determines the winner/policy
People vote from a variety of candidates in the party to represent the party for an elected office
Closed Primary – only party members can vote
Open Primary – open to all for a vote
Governed by State Law: day to vote, requirements, etc.

9. Voting at the different levels
Primary Elections: Determine all the candidates for each party Local candidates selected by local methods State candidates selected by state primary National candidates selected by national primary

10. Voting at the different levels
Primary Election Basics
Conventions began in 1832
Democrats: Use proportional representation of vote
Example: If a candidate wins 60% of the popular party vote in the state, they get 60% of the democrat electoral votes
Republicans: Some states use a proportional vote, most states are winner-take-all
Primary Elections look like a smaller version of the national election but are only to determine the candidates for the elections in November

11. Voting at the different levels
Once a candidate is selected: Must follow state laws to be places on ballot Begins campaigning against any challengers in the party Primary election to choose candidate for party General election follows, pits all candidates of all participating parties against each other for the elected office Elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November You will vote for whichever offices are up on the ballot for that year

12. National State President/Vice President
Who Do We Vote For?
National
President/Vice President
Senators and Representatives from the State for the national Congress
State
Governor/Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Treasurer
Auditor
Senators and Representatives for state Congress
State School Board

13. Mayor Local Who Do We Vote For? Clerk
Judges (if they should be retained)
Surveyor
County and City:
Treasurer
Commissioner
Auditor
Sheriff
Mayor
Attorney
Assessor
Local School Board
Recorder
Initiative/Referendum/Propositions/Bond Elections

14. State of Utah Requirements
1. Must be Must be a citizen of the United States 3. Must live in Utah for 30 days before election 4. Must have proof of residency 5. Must register by mail, in-person, or online

15. You will be notified before of where you can vote
Voting
Vote in your precinct
You will be notified before of where you can vote
Early voting may take place
Absentee ballots for people not in town/state when the vote takes place
Example: Military deployed overseas

16. Voting When you vote: When you walk in: Must check in
Signature challenge
Identification cleared
Go Into the Booth
Given a ballot or use voting machine
Private/Covered
You can correct your vote
Place to deposit ballot or machine will clear
GET YOUR STICKER!
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