1. Political Parties and Elections
Goal 4
Political Parties and Elections

2. Role of Political Parties
Nominating Candidates
Name, select and support candidates
Create Leaders
Ways a candidate could win
Plurality- Winner take all
Majority- Winning more than ½ the votes
If more than two candidates it could lead to a runoff.

3. Roles of Political Parties
Inform the public
Mailings, tv, media
Encourage people to Vote

4. Roles of Political Parties
Act as watchdogs
Keep watch of the party in power
Keep watch on party members holding power.
Give citizens a voice
Helping pass out campaign information
Help raise money

5. Voting and Elections
New information VOTING AND ELECTIONS

6. Voting Requirements You must be 18
You must register 21 days before the election(once in a lifetime)
You must be a Citizen
Who can not vote
People convicted of a felony
Individuals in mental hospitals

7. Why People Vote or Not Why people vote Why people do not vote
Sense of duty
Support their party and candidates
To have a voice
Why people do not vote
Apathy
Do not feel their vote matters

8. Types of Elections
All elections take place on the 1st Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Senate 1/3 every 2 years on the even year
House- All every 2 years on the even year
President every 4 years on the even year
NC General Assembly- every 2 years even year
Local elections in odd years

9. Outside of voting on Candidates
You can vote on the following:
Initiatives: Citizens can propose new laws or State Constitution Amendments if they get enough signatures on a peitition.
If they do it become a proposed law and is put on as an initiative on the next general election

10. Outside of voting on Candidates
Referendums- A way a citizens can approve or reject state or local law.
This powered by state legislator or city council not the people.
Why: It could be a controversial topic that the lawmakers do not want to deal with.

11. Key Voting Vocabulary
Absentee vote: If you are military or know you are not going to be in town (college) you may request an absentee ballot and vote early
Returns: Counting of the vote in each precinct.
Exit Polls: When people ask you how you voted when you leave. This allows them to predict a winner.

12. Precinct
Polling Place

13. Absentee Vote Some people vote by mail before the election
You are in college
You are going to be away for business

14. Outside of voting on Candidates
Referendums- A way a citizens can approve or reject state or local law.
This powered by state legislator or city council not the people.
Why: It could be a controversial topic that the lawmakers do not want to deal with.

15. Outside of voting on Candidates
Recall: The people can vote to remove elected officials from office.
This happens only if they have enough signatures on a petition.