1. Political Parties Functions: Electing candidates Educating the public
Involving people in the political process
Operating the government
Developing/implementing policy
Government watchdog
Some, not all

2. Selecting Candidates Three main ways for a person to get on a ballot:
1. Nominated by a state-recognized party
Selected by delegates at national nominating conventions; sometimes after caucuses have been held
An individual can seek the nomination of a political party. Presidential nominees are selected by delegates at national nominating conventions. Individual states conduct caucuses or primary elections to determine which delegates will be sent to the national convention

3. 2. Run as an independent
Must petition each state to have name printed on the ballot
2016: At least 880,000 signatures needed
An individual can run as an independent. Independent presidential candidates typically must petition each state to have their names printed on the general election ballot. For the 2016 presidential contest, it was estimated that an independent candidate would need to collect in excess of 880,000 signatures in order to appear on the general election ballot in every state.[1]

4. 3. Run as a write-in candidate
Requirements vary by state; most often involve filing proper paperwork and fee
File proper paperwork in advance & fee (34 states)
Are not allowed for president (9 states)
No proper paperwork needed (7 states)

5. Suffrage: The right to vote
Being a Voter

6. Age
The 26th Amendment declared voting rights for all who are at least 18 years of age

7. Citizenship
Today, all states require a voting person to be a U.S. citizen

8. Residence
Each state requires voters to live in a state or community for a certain period of time before being allowed to vote

9. Registration
All states (except North Dakota) require citizens to register before voting
Provide basic information about the voter
Most be updated upon moving

10. Restrictions
The mentally incompetent may not vote in any state

11. Convicted criminals cannot vote
Jan. 2011, T. Branstad rescinded a law allowing people who had completed sentence, parole, probation, and paid any monetary fees owed, can vote.

12. Iowa - On Jan. 14, 2011, the Republican Governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad, issued executive order 70, rescinding a law allowing people convicted of a felony to automatically have their ability to vote restored after completing their sentences. The automatic voting restoration law had been instituted by former Democratic Governor Tom Vilsack's signing of executive order 42 in Felons in Iowa must now pay all outstanding monetary obligations to the court in addition to completing their sentence and period of parole or probation. People convicted of a felony may then apply for restoration of the ability to vote.

13. Some states require a photo ID to vote
If you are registering to vote on election day, you must show a photo id and proof of residence. All other voters may use a photo ID or non-photo ID
Where do I go to vote on election day?
You need to go to the polling place for your precinct. To find your polling place, visit Find Your Precinct/Polling Place.
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Do I need my voter registration card to vote at the polls on election day?
No.
You are not required to produce your voter registration card to vote at the polls on election day.
Do I need to take identification with me to the polls?
Maybe.
You are encouraged to always bring identification with you when you vote.
You may be asked to show identification if:
You registered to vote by mail after January 1, 2003, and have never voted in a Primary or General election in your county,
You have moved from where you are registered to vote,
Your right to vote has been challenged, or
The precinct election officials do not know you.
If asked to show identification, you may use a current and valid photo ID or any of the following documents if they show your name and current address:
Current utility bill (including cell phone bill),
Current bank statement,
Current paycheck or government check, or
Other current government document.

14. Kinds of Elections Partisan Elections Nonpartisan Elections
When candidates represent political parties
Nonpartisan Elections
When candidates for office are not identified by party membership
Nonpartisan: Mayor, city council members, county officials, school board members
Partisan: President, senators, representatives, governors, etc.

15. Primary Elections Special Elections
Elections to choose candidates to represent a party in the general elections
Special Elections
Come unexpectedly before a regular election is due
Iowa: The primary is closed, but voters are allowed to change their political party affiliation on election day
Run-off Primaries: when voters decide between two top vote-getters if no candidate receives a majority of the votes (9 states)
open primaries: when all qualified voters can vote, regardless of party affiliation
\Closed Primaries: only voters who have identified themselves as party members may vote (75% of states)
Closed Primaries
(75% of states)
Open Primaries
Congress must also ensure a smooth succession to the next person to serve. In the House, the Clerk assumes control of the vacant seat and directs the staff, who remain in the House’s employ. Although the constituents of the district do not have a Member who can vote for them, the staff is still available to help them with casework and to provide information on legislation. In the Senate, the Secretary is responsible for closing the vacant office, and staff are kept on the payroll for 60 days, unless the term would have expired sooner or the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration determines that the closing will take longer than two months. Per the U.S. Constitution, House vacancies are only filled via special elections, but state legislatures may empower their governors to fill Senate vacancies until a special election can be held. (seat vacancies)

16. Initiatives: Proposing news laws by petitions
Referendums: Voters accept or reject a local or state law
Recalls: Removing a state or local officials early
Less than half the States currently allow the People the right to Initiative, Referendum and Recall. ALL States must fight for this right! States which do not allow the People's right to Initiative and Referendum include: Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
The Initiative and Referendum process is available to most all municipalities in every state. The practice dates back to ancient Greece. It appeared in America in 1777 when the Georgia state constitution provided a means to adopt amendments with the voters' consent. In 1898, South Dakota granted its voters the right to initiate all forms of legislation.

17. General Elections
Regularly scheduled elections to select local, state, or national officials
Always held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November
Can be on people and issues
Always held in even numbered years

18. The Election Every voter lives in a precinct
Voters cast their ballots at polling places

20. The “Australian Ballot” has been in use since 1888
Printed at public expense
Anonymous in appearance
Lists all possible candidates
Offered at polling places to all qualified
Some places use computerized voting machines
though it comes in variations as well
If I don't want to vote for every race, will my ballot be counted?
Yes.
You may choose which races you want to vote for on your ballot. For example, some voters only want to vote for president and vice president. The races and public measures you choose to vote on will be counted and the races and public measures you do not vote on will not be counted.