VOTING AND VOTING AND ELECTIONSELECTIONS

Key TermsKey Terms

1. propaganda – biased (one sided) information1. propaganda – biased (one sided) information2. ballot – what you vote on2. ballot – what you vote on3. polling place – where you go to vote3. polling place – where you go to vote4. straight ticket voting – vote for candidates of which you 4. straight ticket voting – vote for candidates of which you

are a party member (all democrat or republican)are a party member (all democrat or republican)5. split ticket voting – vote for members of either party5. split ticket voting – vote for members of either party6. initiative (example of a 6. initiative (example of a grassrootsgrassroots movement) – a movement) – a

petition started by citizens to propose a new lawpetition started by citizens to propose a new law7. referendum – when citizens can vote whether or not to 7. referendum – when citizens can vote whether or not to

pass a lawpass a law8. recall – citizens start a petition to vote someone out of 8. recall – citizens start a petition to vote someone out of

officeoffice

I. Voting I. Voting

A. Qualifications to voteA. Qualifications to vote1. 18 yrs. Old1. 18 yrs. Old2. must be registered2. must be registered3. must be citizen3. must be citizen4. resident of voting precinct ( is possible to 4. resident of voting precinct ( is possible to vote vote absentee ballotabsentee ballot) )

B. Reasons people do not voteB. Reasons people do not vote1. 1. apathyapathy – you could care less – you could care less2. convicted felon2. convicted felon3. legally insane3. legally insane

II. Elections / Election ProcessII. Elections / Election ProcessA. Step 1 – “Throw your hat into the ring” – you are going to run A. Step 1 – “Throw your hat into the ring” – you are going to run

for office (unofficial nomination)for office (unofficial nomination)B. Step 2 – caucus and primaries (February 2008)B. Step 2 – caucus and primaries (February 2008)

1. caucus – a party meeting ( Iowa caucus begins the election 1. caucus – a party meeting ( Iowa caucus begins the election season; this is the first state to choose nominees from each season; this is the first state to choose nominees from each party)party)2. primary – nomination election in which citizens from each 2. primary – nomination election in which citizens from each state vote on which candidate they would like to see run for state vote on which candidate they would like to see run for PresidentPresidenta. open primary – you can choose the party’s ballot from a. open primary – you can choose the party’s ballot from which you would like to votewhich you would like to voteb. closed primary – only party members may vote on ballotb. closed primary – only party members may vote on ballot

C. Step 3 – National Convention (August 2008) – each party will C. Step 3 – National Convention (August 2008) – each party will have a huge political convention in a major city. PURPOSE?have a huge political convention in a major city. PURPOSE?1. official nomination of Pres./VP1. official nomination of Pres./VP2. delegates write their party’s platform 2. delegates write their party’s platform

D. Step 4 – final campaigning (end of August thru D. Step 4 – final campaigning (end of August thru November)November)1. televised debates1. televised debates2. endorsement (testimonial)2. endorsement (testimonial)3. canvassing – campaign over a region of voters3. canvassing – campaign over a region of voters4. image molding – shape your personality in a way 4. image molding – shape your personality in a way that will make you look popularthat will make you look popular

E. Step 5 – General Election (final election)E. Step 5 – General Election (final election)1. first Tuesday after first Monday in November 1. first Tuesday after first Monday in November (popular vote)(popular vote)2. electoral vote actually takes place in December2. electoral vote actually takes place in December3. Jan. 20 is Presidential inauguration3. Jan. 20 is Presidential inauguration

III. Campaign fundingIII. Campaign funding

A. FECA. FEC – federal election commission – monitors for – federal election commission – monitors for illegal campaign fundingillegal campaign funding

B. Personal donations are limited to $4,600 for primary B. Personal donations are limited to $4,600 for primary and general electionsand general elections

C. Candidates use fundraisersC. Candidates use fundraisers

D. PAC’s – Political Action Committees – raise money D. PAC’s – Political Action Committees – raise money for interest groups to provide to candidatesfor interest groups to provide to candidates

***donations go to campaigns NOT individual ***donations go to campaigns NOT individual candidatescandidates