1. 7th Grade Civics Miss Smith *pgs. 259-261
The Right to Vote
7th Grade Civics
Miss Smith
*pgs

2. Becoming a Voter
Must be 18 years old by a set date before the next election
Voter registration protects your vote
No one can vote more than once or claim to be you and cast your vote
Independent voters- citizens who are not members of a political party

3. Elections
Primary election- election in which voters choose candidates within the party who will run in the general election
General election- election in which voters actually choose a candidate for office

4. Primary Elections
Closed primary- only those voters who are registered in the party can vote to choose the party’s candidates
Open primary- voters may vote for the candidates of either major party whether or not the voters belong to the party

5. Independent Candidates
Can have their name printed on the ballot if enough supporters sign a petition
Some states let voters write in the name of a candidate

6. Early Voting
Secret Ballot- method of voting in which a voter marks a paper ballot in secret
Before this, voters had to announce their vote aloud

7. Voting Today Paper ballots Mechanical lever voting machines Punchcards
Marksense (Used in Florida)
Direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machine- This is a touch screen
Straight ticket- voting for all the same party members
Split ticket- voting for members of various parties