Election 2013 Teachers: this is an editable presentation. Use only the slides that apply to your location and grade levels. Please check the website for the student candidate guide, curriculum and other tools. www.generationnation.org www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Election vocabulary Vote – Make a decision Candidate – A person running for office Office – An elected role in government Referendum – A public vote on a question, policy or issue Local government – People elected to make decisions about local services such as roads and schools www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Political parties Groups of people who have similar ideas Major US political parties • Democrats www.democrats.org • Republicans www.gop.com • Libertarians www.lp.org Some government offices are nonpartisan • The individual candidates can have political ideas but don’t officially run as members of a political party • Includes town offices, school board and judges www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation On the ballot Grades K-2 – Mayor Grades 3-5 – Mayor – School Board – CMS Education Bond Grades 6-12 – Mayor and City or Town Council – School Board – CMS Education Bond and Student Referendum www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation City and town government A city or town is a unit of government Cities and towns are located within counties • 100 counties in N.C. Each level of government has its own elected officials, staff, services, budget City and town services • Includes police, fire, land use, transportation, economic development, neighborhood improvements www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Mayor Different mayor in each city or town – Charlotte, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill & Pineville Represents the city or town, chief spokesperson Leads City Council or Town Council meetings • Votes in the event of a tie; can veto a vote Works with city or town council • To establish community priorities, set policy, approve budget and city or town tax rates, create local laws and other duties 2-year term Learn about the candidates www.generationnation.org/index.php/election/candidateguide2013 www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Charlotte candidates Patrick Cannon Edwin Peacock www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Cornelius candidate Chuck Travis www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Davidson candidate John Woods www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Huntersville candidates Jim Puckett Jill Swain www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Matthews candidate Jim Taylor www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Mint Hill candidate Ted Biggers www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Pineville candidates Libby Boatwright John Edwards George Fowler www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation School Board School board = Board of Education Nonpartisan office, 4-year terms 9 total seats on school board • 6 District: officials represent just one part of the community (next election: 2013) • 3 At-Large: officials represent whole county (next election: 2015) Learn about the candidates and identify your district www.generationnation.org/documents/el2013cmsbd.pdf www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Role of School Board Hire/fire superintendent Establish school district policy Review and approve budgets • Annual operating and capital (construction) Approve student assignment boundaries Oversee the management of school system’s major systems • Includes curriculum, teachers, transportation www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation District 1 Candidates Rhonda Lennon Christine Mast www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation District 2 Candidates Thelma Byers-Bailey Richard McElrath www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation District 3 Candidate Joyce Waddell www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation District 4 Candidates Tom Tate Queen Elizabeth Thompson www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation District 5 Candidates Eric Davis Edward Donaldson www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation District 6 Candidates Paul Bailey Bolyn McClung Doug Wrona www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation CMS $290 million bond A bond is a way for governments to borrow money to finance capital projects. • Capital projects = construction and building Citizens vote for or against the bonds in a ballot referendum. Learn about the bond www.generationnation.org/index.php/election/candidateguide2013 www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Middle and High School Additional ballot questions www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation City and town council Vote for the candidates in your city or town only! Mayor and council in each city and town Council-manager form of government – Professional manager administers policies and manages city or town government – Elected council and mayor; 2-year terms Role – Prioritize community needs, set policy, approve budget, levy taxes, create ordinances Learn about the candidates www.generationnation.org/index.php/election/candidateguide2013 www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Charlotte At-Large At-Large = Represents entire city 4 seats available Candidates • • • • • • • • • Michael Barnes Eric A. Cable Claire Fallon Vanessa Faura Mark Frietch Ken Harris David Howard Vi Alexander Lyles Dennis Peterson www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Charlotte Districts District 1 – Patsy Kinsey District 2 – Al Austin – Darryl Broome District 3 – LaWana Mayfield – Eric Netter – C. Travis Wheat District 4 – Greg Phipps – Michael Zytkow District 5 – John Autry District 6 – Kenny Smith District 7 – Bakari Burton – Ed Driggs www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation North Mecklenburg towns Cornelius 5 seats – – – – – – – – – Davidson 5 seats Del Arrendale John R. Bradford, III Jim Duke Dave Gilroy Michael F. Miltich J. R. Mount Thurman Ross, Jr. William C. Sykes Woody Washam, Jr. – – – – – – – – Stacey Anderson Beth Cashion Jim Fuller Rodney Graham Brian Jenest Rick Short Connie J. Wessner Vince Winegardner Huntersville 6 seats – – – – – – – – – – Melinda Bales Lawrence Brinson Franklin Freeman Charles S. Guignard Ron Julian Rob Kidwell Sarah R. McAulay Jeff Neely Danny Phillips Nick Walsh www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation South Mecklenburg Towns Matthews 6 seats – John F. Higdon – Gina S. Hoover – Christopher L. Melton – Jeff Miller – Joe Pata – Kress Query – John Ross – John R. Urban Mint Hill 4 seats – – – – – – – – – Pineville Lloyd D. Austin Dale Dalton Carl Mickey Ellington Rich Ferretti Harry Marsh Brenda McRae Richard (Fig) Newton Eric Random Katrina (Tina) Weaver Ross 4 seats – Al (Billy) Baskins – Melissa Rogers Davis – Jim Eschert – Deborah B. Fowler – Les Gladden – Kevin Icard – David Phillips www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Student referendum It is important to learn, think, and decide about civic issues. What’s your opinion? • • Change control of the Charlotte airport? Require citizens to show identification before voting? Learn about the issues www.generationnation.org/index.php/election/candidateguide2013 www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Get ready to vote! www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Read and learn Start with an issue YOU care about – Education, environment, safety, transportation, economy/jobs, children, neighborhoods, teachers Find information about the candidates • GenerationNation Student Candidate Guide www.generationnation.org – Includes candidate debate videos and other information • Charlotte Observer www.charlotteobserver.com Educational resources and tools • www.generationnation.org/index.php/learn/entry/learning-opportunity-election-2013 www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Read, think, decide 1. Learn about the candidates 2. Think about the information 3. Choose candidates you like best 4. Vote 5. After the election, keep track of the candidates & their promises and actions www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Think Does this information help me? Is it from a good, truthful source? Does it fit with other facts I know? How does it make me feel? Do I know enough to make a decision? • If not, learn and read more • Tip: Focus on the individual candidates, their ideas and solutions instead of political parties www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Choose a candidate Review – What did each candidate say? Did they… • Have ideas or solutions… • …or complain a lot? • Ask questions? Decide – Which one do you agree with the most? – Based on the information you know, do you think the candidate will do a good job? www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation Vote Who do YOU think should win in Election 2013? Make your voice heard! – K-12 students vote Oct. 22-Nov. 5 – www.generationnation.org – Results announced November 5 (evening) Voting options • Vote at school • Vote online, anywhere • Vote at Kids Voting booths at certain polling places on Oct. 26, Nov. 1, Nov. 2, and Nov. 5 www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation After the election Look for official election results – Adult vote • Board of Elections www.meckboe.org and www.ncsbe.gov • Media www.charlotteobserver.com – Student vote • www.generationnation.org and www.facebook.com/GenerationNation • Did students elect different candidates? Keep track of the winning candidates – Do they keep their campaign promises? – Do they make good decisions? Stay involved – Watch or attend government meetings, write letters or email officials – Teens, join the youth council www.generationnation.org/index.php/youthvoice www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation