Guided Reading Activity 101

Who Can Vote?

DIRECTIONS: Write an answer to each question below in the space provided.
1. Explaining Why is voting an important right of American citizens? Without voting, America would not be a democracy, and therefore would not be able to elect the people who they feel would listen to them and act accordingly. 2. Identifying What is the National Voter Registration Act? The National Voter Registration Act was passed in 1995 and it states that state offices must allow individuals to register to vote when they renew their drivers license. Because of this, the Act is known as the Motor Voter Act. They can also mail in their registrations forms to any government office. 3. Identifying What requirements must you meet to qualify to vote? In order to vote an individual must be at least 18 years old, a legal resident of the state in which they want to vote, and of the United States, and you must be registered to vote. 4. Contrasting What is the difference between a polling place and a precinct? A polling place is the exact location where voting is actually done; the precinct is a voting district. A precinct can have several different polling places such as schools, churches, government building, fire stations and recreational centers. 5. Summarizing What is the role of challengers at the polls? Challengers, people from a political party, are responsible for being a watch dog at the polling places. The challenger ensures that you are who you say you are by comparing several identification documents and signatures. 6. Describing What does it mean to vote a split ticket? When an individual votes a split ticket they are voting for some candidates from one party, and some candidates from another party. This is contrary to a straight ticket where the individual votes on a ballot with candidates strictly from one party. 7. Defining What is an absentee ballot? An absentee ballot is cast when an individual who wishes to vote is not, or cannot get to the polling place on Election Day. These absentee ballots must be requested by the individual from their local election board before Election Day. 8. Summarizing What are two good reasons to exercise your right to vote?

It is important to vote, and not be a victim of voter apathy, because as an American citizen you have a right to have your voice heard and your needs met. As an electorate, or eligible voter, you have a right to express your opinions and stand on certain issues. You express them through voting in the hopes that change will be made, and make the country better.

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Guided Reading Activity 102

Election Campaigns
DIRECTIONS: Write an answer to each question below in the space provided.
1. Identifying What are the three types of elections in the United States? The three types of elections in the United States are general elections, voting on issues elections, and special elections. General elections are always two part, and always take place on the First Tuesday of November. 2. Describing What happens if neither candidate wins the majority of electoral votes in a presidential election? How often has this happened in history? The House will elect the president; because the House is a house of representatives, they should be dolling out the wishes of the people. This happened twice in the history of the country, in 1800 and 1824. 3. Comparing What is the difference between an initiative and a referendum? An initiative is when a citizen takes the initiative to propose and construct new laws; referendum is when a citizen is able to to vote on whether or not to reject or approve a law already voted on, or in place. 4. Listing What are the three major steps in presidential elections? In the presidential elections the three major steps include: the nomination of the presidential candidates, from a political party, the campaigning of those candidates, and lastly the voting of America and the Electoral College on between the successful campaigners for the presidency. 5. Summarizing What are some ways that candidates campaign for election? Candidates campaign in several different ways. Candidates travel the country, they have posters, flyers, bake sales, make appearances at local, county, and state functions to gain support and get their name out there, they have commercials aired on the television. They also give speeches, appear on frequently watched television shows, and debate on television for the benefit of the public. They have websites and offices all over the country. 6. Defining What is the Electoral College? The College is a compromise dating back to the Constitution. It allows for indirect, direct democracy. The College is representative in terms of numbers, so larger states have more electors in the College, and hold more sway. The electors, elected by the people, cast their slates for the presidential candidate. The Electoral College is where the buck stops in the presidential election; the College decides who becomes President. 7. Inferring When you vote for the U.S. president, for whom are you actually voting? When a person casts their vote for a president, they are actually voting for the presidential candidate and all of the sponsors, parties, and organizations that backed him/her during the campaign.

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Guided Reading Activity 103

Paying for Election Campaigns
1. Identifying What is the purpose of campaigning for office? The purpose of campaigning for office is to convince, or persuade the public to vote for a particular candidate. 2. Describing What are some of the techniques used during campaigning? Candidates, and their campaign committees go door-to-door, take local polls and surveys, visit local functions and events, and hand out campaign paraphernalia. This form of campaigning is referred to as canvassing. Campaign committees also have individuals or organizations, well known by the people, to sponsor their campaign and influence the public. 3. Defining What is propaganda? Propaganda is the use of slogans, visual rhetoric, and literature to promote a single person or idea. 4. Describing What is the purpose of election propaganda? Election propaganda is in place to persuade voters. The parties, and committees want the people to vote for a particular candidate; therefore, they utilize posters, jabs at the other candidates, pamphlets, slogans and anecdotes, t-shirts, bumper stickers, cups, mugs and hats to further their support of the candidate they want to win the election. Propaganda, locally, can be newspapers and fliers, while national propaganda include television and magazines. 5. Identifying What are the private sources of campaign funding? Private campaign funding can come from organizations, unions, labor unions, interest groups, political action committees, individuals, and families. 6. Defining What is soft money? The government requires, in the interest of weeding out corruption, several limits be put in place on the amount of money a single candidate can receive. Candidates must record all donations, and financial endorsements no matter what. To avoid these restrictions however, a sort of pooling account can be made for a political party, and these same private sources can give as much money as they want because the money wasn't transferred directly to the candidate's campaign. It may be common knowledge that the money is going to the candidate but as long as it is soft money, money put into this political party account, it's all legal. 7. Explaining Who are incumbents?

Incumbents are individuals who hold the office for which the election is being held. The incumbent is the person who already served a term, and may be up for re-election.

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