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  Elections

Introduction Election Day Voting Election of the President Candidates Political Parties Primary Election National Conventions National Conventions - An Inside View Candidates at the Convention The Campaign Polling Places The Electoral College The Electoral Map The Inauguration

  

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Books & Reading

Books & Reading

Is it illegal to wear any campaign "paraphernalia" to the voting booth, even if it is simply a button or a T-shirt for your candidate? Also, if you wear 'paraphernalia,' can they legally turn you away from voting?

Is it true that with early voting, which is the same as absentee voting in many states, the votes are only counted if there's a tie? Or are all votes counted regardless of the method used to cast them?

Some people who have served time in the penitentiary think they are not allowed to vote. Is it true that after they have served their time and paid their debt to society, they do not get their full citizenship back?


Vote: The Machinery of Democracy


Primary Election Political Parties Election Day Voting Election of the President Candidates National Conventions National Conventions - An Inside View Candidates at the Convention The Campaign Polling Places The Electoral College The Electoral Map The Inauguration

Voting

Ballots
http://www.abcteach.com/Elections/ballot.htm
The ballots can be used while voting in a mock election or classroom election. You can write the candidate names in the blanks.

Freedom to Vote
http://www.abcteach.com/Elections/vote.htm
Voting is a right the we have in our country. In some countries the people are not allowed to vote. Print out and write your opinion on our freedom to vote.

Getting Ready to Vote
http://www.channelone.com/img/specials/onevote/OneVote_lesson_plan.pdf
Lesson Plan - Get a lesson plan for your class and bring the election into your classroom. 

Make a Voting Booth
http://www.abcteach.com/Elections/booth.htm
How to make a voting booth for your classroom.

The Redistricting Game
http://www.redistrictinggame.org/
The Redistricting Game is designed to educate, engage, and empower citizens around the issue of political redistricting. Currently, the political system in most states allows the state legislators themselves to draw the lines. This system is subject to a wide range of abuses and manipulations that encourage incumbents to draw districts which protect their seats rather than risk an open contest.

By exploring how the system works, as well as how open it is to abuse, The Redistricting Game allows players to experience the realities of one of the most important (yet least understood) aspects of our political system. The game provides a basic introduction to the redistricting system, allows players to explore the ways in which abuses can undermine the system, and provides info about reform initiatives - including a playable version of the Tanner Reform bill to demonstrate the ways that the system might be made more consistent with tenets of good governance. Beyond playing the game, the web site for The Redistricting Game provides a wealth of information about redistricting in every state as well as providing hands-on opportunities for civic engagement and political action.

Vote for Me!
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/lessons/vote/index.html
Lesson Plan -- In this lesson, students conduct a research project on one American President. Focusing on personal and political details, they work in pairs to present selected information in a mock interview. The facts and figures collected by each group are compiled in a presidential facts database used to enhance student understanding of presidential characteristics and chronology.

Voter Registration Form
http://www.abcteach.com/Elections/register.htm
Print and complete

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Did you know registered American voters can vote from anywhere they might be in the world?

Surf with Uncle Sam
Surf with Uncle Sam

Word Spy
Word Spy

Projects You Can Do

Call or visit the Supervisor of Elections' office to obtain the following information:

a. What are the qualifications for voting in your state?
b. How does one register to vote?
c. How is one's polling place determined?
d. If a student registered to vote, where would he or she actually vote?
e. When is the next primary or general election?
f. Is your state an open or closed primary state?
g. Complete a sample voter registration form

Develop and conduct a survey of a minimum of twenty individuals aged 18 or older. The survey should include, but is not limited to the following:

a. Are you registered to vote?
b. If no, why not?
c. If you are registered, are you registered as a Democrat, Republican, or other (specify, if possible)?
d. Did you vote in the last election?
e. If no, why not?
f. Can you make any suggestions to improve voter registration and/or participation?

Tally the information generated from the survey. Present the information in graphic form. You may draw your own graphs or use the computer to generate graphs. If you choose to use the computer, you need to compile the information using a computer spreadsheet program, such as MS Excel, and then convert it to a chart.

Consider the information obtained in the survey and engage in other research via the internet and printed media. Choose one strategy to improve voter registration or participation and compose a letter to your state legislator promoting this strategy. After any necessary corrections, send the letter electronically to the appropriate state legislator.

 

Awards

 

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