Name_____________________________
Period______
Date__________
Mr. Mitchell
Elections
(Chapter 7, Section 2)
I.
II.
Administration of Elections:
A. Most election law is State controlled, not Federal.
B. There is some Federal law, however.
1.
Congressional Elections = first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November during even numbered years.
2. Requires the use of secret ballots.
3. Help America Vote Act of 2002:
a. Upgrade voter machines.
b. Upgrade administration of elections through training.
c. Centralize and computerize voter registration systems.
C. Election Day:
1.
Often states set it as the same day as Congressional elections.
2. Some states have different dates (ex: Governors elected in odd years).
D. Early Voting:
1.
Must apply for absentee ballots beforehand.
2. Originally for disabled or those away, but now most can use this option.
3. Some states allow for early voting during the days before the election
(different than absentee ballots).
E. Coattail Effect:
1.
Occurs when a strong candidate can help lesser known individuals from the
same party get elected.
2. Can counter the coattail effect by having local elections separate from
national elections.
F. Precincts:
1.
Voting districts, usually with 500-1000 voters
2. Polling Place is where voters within a precinct cast their vote.
3. Poll Watchers (1 from each party) may monitor and challenge elections.
Casting the Ballot:
A. Ballots can list candidates and/or specific issues.
B. Office Group Ballot
C. Party-Column Ballot
D. Australian Ballot
E. Automated Voting:
1.
Electronic Vote Counting (ex: punch cards)
2. Now, paper ballots scanned or touch screen computers.
3. Vote by mail or online voting more convenient, but may lead to fraud.