Civics Core 100, Goal 4

Goal 4: The learner will explore active roles as a citizen at the

local, state, and national levels of government.

Political Parties

• Organization of individuals with broad, common interests who organize to win elections, to operate the government, and to thereby influence government policy

• Role: GET THEIR CANDIDATE ELECTED!!!!

Primary

• 1st step in election process• Narrow the choices of candidates

• Direct Primary: voters choose candidates to represent each party in a general election• Closed Primary: you can only vote for the

party you are affiliated with• Open Primary: can vote for either party

Caucus

• Meetings of state and local party organizations

• Each party chooses its delegates based on primaries and caucuses

General Elections

• Always the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November (this year… Nov 4)

• People vote for candidates

Voting Qualifications

• Most states, you must be registered• At least 18 years old• Resident of state for a

certain period of time• Citizen of the US

• Most states deny individuals who have been convicted of a serious crime the right to vote

Voting Procedures

*Absentee Ballot: If you cannot vote on Election Day, you can get an absentee ballot

On Election Day:• Go to polling place in your precinct (voting

district)• Study a sample ballot• Cast your final ballot in a private booth• The Results (returns) go to election board

• Counted for entire city or county• Official results are announced

Public Opinion and Media

Electoral College• Part of the process to elect

PRESIDENTIAL candidate• Voters are electing people (Electors):

• Group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president = # of senators and rep per state

• Winner Take All: candidate that wins popular vote in state usually receives all of the state’s electoral votes

• Total: 538 members of the electoral college• Whoever receives majority (270) wins the

election!!

Rights

• Don’t SEL your rights

• Security• Equality• Liberty

Duties

• THINGS YOU MUST DO OR FACE CONSEQUENCES• Paying taxes• Registering for military service• Serving on a jury• Obeying the Law

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Things you should do as a citizen• Respect others opinions• Vote• Participate• Volunteer

Apathy

• Lack of interest• One reason why

some people do not vote

Mediation and Arbitration

• Mediation: each side is given the opportunity to explain its side and must listen to the other side• Trained mediator helps to find a solution

• Arbitration: process conducted by a professional who acts somewhat like a judge • Reviews the case and resolves the dispute

• These are frequently used by labor unions and businesses