1. The Electoral Process: Elections (Chapter 7 Section 2) GOVT.6b

2. Administration of Elections Extent of Federal Control Who’s in Charge? Congress Power to fix “[t]he Times, Places, and Manner of holding Elections”

3. When Elections Are Held Congress has set the date for holding congressional elections as the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of every even numbered year. It has set the same date every fourth year for the presidential election. For example 2012 = Presidential election 2016 = Presidential election General Election DayMonthYear First Tuesday after first Monday NovemberEven numbered years (every 4 for presidential)

4. Early Voting Absentee Ballot- a ballot that is filled out and mailed; counts as a vote 1.Those too ill or disabled to make it to their polling places 2.Those who expect to be away from home on election day 3.Those serving in the armed forces

5. Coattail Effect Occurs when a strong candidate running for an office at the top of the ballot helps attract voters to other candidates on the party’s ticket. Examples 1980- Ronald Reagan – Republican 2008- Barack Obama – Democrat

6. Precincts and Polling Places A precinct is a voting district It is the smallest geographic unit for the holding of an election A polling place is where the registered voters within a precinct actually vote The polling place is fixed by the precinct election board In VA polls are open from 6:00am to 7:00pm Where do I vote? https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/PublicSi te/Public/FT2/PublicPollingPlace.aspx https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/PublicSi te/Public/FT2/PublicPollingPlace.aspx

7. Virginia’s Districts

8. Casting the Ballot A ballot is the device by which a voter registers a choice in an election aka VOTE! Each State provides for a secret ballot The Australian Ballot 1.It is printed at public expense; 2.It lists the names of all candidates in an election; 3.It is given out only at the polls, one to each qualified voter; and 4.It is marked in secret

9. Casting the Ballot cont. Office-Group Ballot The Party-Column Ballot Sample Ballot Bedsheet Ballot