1. Chapter 11 Section 3: Taking part in government

2. I. Four ways citizens can participate in government
1. Speaking out on public issues
2. Participating in a community action group
3. Working on a political campaign
4. VOTING!!!!!

3. II. Voting is Important Voting is democracy in action
It is the most important responsibility you have as an American citizen
You make your opinions known when you vote
You are expressing your opinions about candidates, their leadership abilities and their programs.
The US has the lowest voter turnout of any democratic government in the world.

4. A. Why Do So Few People Vote
According a 2004 survey, 64% of American citizens age 18 and over voted in the 2004 election.
The main reason why people do not vote is apathy: lack of interest or concern.
Some do not register
Do not like any of the candidates
Some are ill and cannot make it to the polls
Some have moved and have not changed their registration

5. B. Every Vote Counts
Another main reason why people do not vote is because they believe their vote does not matter or it won’t make a difference.
2000 Election: The final vote came down to the state of Florida.
The results were so close in that state that they did a recount.
Each campaign challenged how the votes had been counted.

6. The case would go all the way to the Supreme Court where they decided that using different standards for counting votes was unconstitutional.
Therefore the hand recounts in Florida were not valid.
Florida’s electoral votes went to George W. Bush rather than to Al Gore.
Bush won the election 271 to 266.

7. Nationwide Gore had 50, 999,897 popular votes, compared to Bush’s 50, 456, 002.
Bush became the first president in more than 100 years who did not win the popular vote.

8. III. Taking Part in Political Campaigns
Another way to influence political decisions is by participating in election campaigns.
You can work for a campaign at any age.
Volunteers: people who work without pay to help others.
Interest Groups often take part in political campaigns.
They provide people and money.

9. Interest Groups cannot directly donate money to a campaign.
They can however contribute through Political Action Committees (PACs): collect money to fund a candidate’s campaign.
Special Interest Groups, PACs and Lobbyists are all interconnected.