GRAHAM GARNERFIRST-YEAR SEMINAR

SPRING 2008, SECTION 8

Community Involvement:Participating in Democracy

Why Participate?

You live here, either as a resident or a studentPolicies and taxes affect you

Sales tax Property tax Student fees

Youth participation is too lowIssues: military service, alcohol consumption,

taxes, funding for school, housing, grants and loans, etc.

www.rockthevote.comwww.studentsuffrage.com

Registering to Vote

Qualifications A Citizen of the United States 18 years of age, or older (by Election Day) A resident in the state and in the county for (30) days

prior

Driver’s license number or last four digits of SSNSame-day registration at polling place:

complete a registration card make an oath in the form prescribed by the Secretary of

State document which contains a valid address in the precinct photo ID card

Delegates

What is a delegate?A delegate is a supporter of a candidate and a

representative of a political partyDelegates selected from county caucuses go

to state conventions to have a chance to be selected to represent Idaho at the National Convention

Primaries and Caucuses

Democrats Date: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008 Delegates at stake: 23, awarded proportionally Style: Caucus Total needed nationally for nomination: 2,025

Republicans Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Delegates at stake: 32, awarded proportionally Style: Primary (may be closed) Total needed nationally for nomination: 1,191

Caucuses

No need to pre-register; sign-in at the door and pledge to vote in county in the general election.

No party registration. When you sign-in at the door, the form that you

will sign will state that you are a DemocratHowever, no one turned away because of party

affiliation and information not registered with State. You do not have to be a registered voter to participate in the Democratic Caucus.

Caucuses: The Process

How does the Caucus work? Sign-in, select Democratic Presidential nominee on your

ballot. Roll call, state your nominee. Room divided according to candidate. Supporters make speeches to persuade undecided voters. Candidates with less than 15% can either:

support a different candidate or no delegates will be allotted to that candidate.

 After speeches, voters can change and sign new ballot. Candidate with 15% or more of the support of the voters

in the room will be allocated delegates proportionally.

Holt Arena: www.citizensforholt.com/

Election is Tuesday, Feb. 5 (today)Bond is for $24 million to paid over 20 years

$20 million for upgrades (Pocatello) $4 million for future maintenance endowment (Chubbuck)

Must pass by supermajority (two-thirds of voters)Must pass in Pocatello and ChubbuckImpact: ~$7/month for $100,000 taxable propertyPocatello voters:

http://www.pocatello.us/Elections/Documents/VOTERSMap.pdf

Chubbuck voters: City Office, 5160 Yellowstone Ave