1. The Voting Process
North Carolina

2. Why Vote? It is fundamental to democracy
It links the people and the government
It gives the government credibility in the eyes of the people

3. History of Voting 1776- Property owners 15th Amendment: Black men
19th Amendment: Women
26th Amendment: year olds
Civil Rights Act (1964): Every Citizen in America

4. Elections Primary Elections: determine who will be the candidates
General Election: Determines the winner from the primaries.
Runoff Elections: determines winner in cases of ties (in the case of the President the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES elects the president.
Recall Elections: recall a leader by signing a petition
Special
Election

5. Voting on Issues
Initiative: Citizens propose new laws or state constitutional amendments
Proposition: the law being introduced
Referendum: vote on the proposition on election day

6. Where can I register to Vote?
One stop voting sites
Select government agencies
Work First
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Food Stamps
Medicaid
Services for the Blind
Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
Vocational Rehabilitation
North Carolina Protection and Advocacy Agency
Employment Security Commission

7. …Continue
Motor Voter Act: Register at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Mail in Voter Registration Forms
Libraries and Public High Schools
Mobile Registration drives during election years
College Campuses
Schools
Stores
Currently
There are 8,049,313 people in NC
There are 6,083,211 registered voters in NC

8. Qualifications to Register to Vote
A person must sign a voter declaration attesting that:
I am a U.S. citizen
I will have been a resident of
North Carolina and this county
for 30 days before the election
18 years old
Registered Voter

9. Who cannot vote? Felons Incarcerated People Resident aliens
The legally incompetent

10. Voting Process Go to the Polling Place in your precinct
Verbally state your name and verify address
Go into poll
Cast Ballot
Exit Polls: people ask who you voted for to try and predict who won before the official results are released.
You do not have to tell them
You could lie about it

11. Different Ballots Straight Ticket: hit one button Split Ticket:
Vote for every candidate in your party
Strict Reps. and Dems. Vote this way
Split Ticket:
Vote for each candidate individually and may vote for some Dems. and some Reps.
All Citizens must physically vote for the President

12. Butterfly Ballot

13. Punch Card Butterfly Ballot

14. Different Forms of Ballots
Most counties are moving toward electronic ballots
They are more reliable and easier to read

15. VOTER APATHY
The biggest problem with democracy is that most citizens do not vote
Only 60% of registered voters voted in the 2004 Presidential Election
Local elections and primaries have the lowest turnout

16. Voter Apathy- Causes Why?
Some think others are more qualified to make the decisions
Some just don’t care
Some are too busy at work to make it to the polls
(Alleviated by Absentee ballots)
Some do not like their choices

17. Voter Knowledge Before an election Research the candidates
What is their platform?
What can they do for you and your family, life, career
Look at voting record of incumbents
Incumbents have held office before and should have voted on some legislation

18. Voter Knowledge Where to get your information Platform Website
Pamphlets and ads
Debates: watch on TV or attend debate

19. What Protections do Voters have?
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to vote without showing your voter registration card to poll workers.
On Election Day, each polling place opens at 6:30 A.M. and closes at 7:30 P.M. If you are in line or in the process of voting when the polls close at 7:30, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to vote.
If you make a mistake or “spoil” your ballot and have not cast the ballot, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to receive up to three replacement ballots.

20. What Protections do Voters have?
If you cannot read or write, or you are blind or otherwise disabled, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to request special assistance from a person of your choice who is not your employer or union officer to help you vote.
If you are disabled and cannot enter the polling place, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to vote in the immediate proximity of the polling place, including in the vehicle that brought you to the polls.

21. NC State Board of Elections