Unit: 2012 Elections
Estimated Time: Oct 15th – Nov 2nd
Part I: Vocabulary - Throughout our unit and discussion you will define the following words.
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Election
Electoral College
Executive Branch
Democratic
Republican
Political Party
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Foreign Policy
Inauguration
Rights
Senators
Mayors
Amendment
Part II: Geography. You will be responsible for analyzing the maps of the United States of America
and why these maps are important.
* Note results may change on Map as we move closer to the 2012 Election
Questions:
13. What inferences can you make form this recent map of the 2012 elections?
14. Could this map change and how often a why?
PART III: HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE – STUDENTS WILL REVIEW THE STEPS OF HOW TO REGISTER TO VOTE
AND SHARE WITH THEIR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
HOW TO REGISTER
The registrant must download and complete a Voter Registration Application and/or Party
Affiliation Form.
Mail or deliver the Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form to the County
Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections for your county.
The registration deadline to vote at the next election is 21 days prior to Election Day.
WHO CAN REGISTER?
To register in New Jersey you must be:
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A United States citizen
At least 18 years old by the next election
A resident of the county for 30 days before the election
You are not eligible to register to vote if:
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You are serving a sentence or on parole or probation, as a result of a conviction of an indictable
offense under state or federal law.
Note: If you are no longer serving a sentence, or no longer on parole or probation...,
you CAN vote in NJ by completing a new voter registration form.
You only lose your right to vote while on parole, probation or serving a sentence due to a
conviction for an indictable offense under any federal or state laws.
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If you were registered to vote before you were convicted, you must complete a new voter
registration form once you have served your time.
If you are a pre-trial detainee or on bail pending appeal, you do not lose your right to vote.
If you have any questions, please contact your county commissioner of registration.
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WHERE TO REGISTER
Registration Application Forms are available from the Division of Elections, the Commissioners of
Registration office in the County where you live or from your Municipal Clerk.
Registration forms are also available at Division of Motor Vehicle offices. You can also register to
vote at the same time you are applying for assistance or service at the following agencies:
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NJ Medical Assistance & Health Services Program
WIC (Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infant & Children)
Work First NJ Programs
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Office of Disability Services - Department of Human Services - Public Offices
Armed Forces of the United States Recruitment Offices
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Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Department of Labor
Commission of the Blind & Visually Impaired
County Welfare Agency or County Board of Social Services
You can also print a registration application and after entering required data, mail it to the
Commissioners of Registration office in the county where you reside. In addition, this form can be
used for name and address changes.
The Commissioners of Registration cannot accept faxed copies or an electronic transmission
of a voter registration form since an original signature is required.
VOTER REGISTRATION & VOTING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
College students register to vote in New Jersey by following the standard application process: every
prospective voter must submit a voter registration application.
You can register to vote if:
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You are a United States citizen
You will be 18 years of age by the next election
You will be a resident of the State and county 30 days before the election
You are NOT currently serving a sentence, probation or parole because of a felony conviction
If you are in college, you have the option to register from your college address or your parent's
address. There are good reasons for registering and voting at either residence, but keep in mind, the
final choice is yours.
The registration deadline to vote is 21 days prior to Election Day
You will receive a sample ballot about 1 week before the election that will indicate where your
polling place is or you can use our polling place locator.
Part IV: Guided Questions / Amendments on the Ballot
The following Constitutional Amendment will appear on the November 6, 2012 General Election
Ballot
Constitutional Amendment allowing contributions to be taken from justices' salaries for their
employee benefits.
*Reforma constitucional para permitir que se descuenten las contribuciones de los salarios de los
jueces y magistrados para sus beneficios laborales
1. What are amendments and why do they happen?
2. What is the significance of political parties and how have they played an important part
over history?
3. What are the names of the candidates running in Perth Amboy and what are their views?
4. What are the names of the candidates running in the United States and what are their
views?
Part V: Charts and Ballots – STUDENTS WILL review the chart and ballot in order to answer
questions and make conclusions
* Please review sample ballot as attached in Appendix A
Part VI: Persuasive Writing (WHST 2a-f; 4-6; 10; RH 3; NJCCS)
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Students will write a persuasive essay by reviewing each candidate’s opinions, policies, and
positions on certain topic in order to choose a side. Once the student decides which
candidate, they are to pretend to be the candidate and write a speech for a debate to
convince voters to vote for them.
Students who were nominated and running for positions on the Student Council will write
their own speeches on their behalf to convince students to vote for them.
Part VII: Candidate Nominations
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On October the 19th during homeroom students will nominate candidates to run for student
council. The top 10 students with the most nominations in will be voted on November the
1st and then reviewed by the McGinnis Electoral College also known as the 8th Grade
Officers. The top four students according to votes will be put in the following positions:
o 8th Grade Class President,
o 8th Grade Class Vice President
o 8th Grade Class Treasury
o 8th Grade Class Secretary
 Students can nominate 8th graders outside of their homeroom for Student
Council positions.
 Please view Appendix B
On October the 19th during homeroom students will nominate one person in each
homeroom to become a member of the McGinnis Electoral College also known as the 8th
Grade Officers. The McGinnis Electoral College also known as the 8th Grade Officers will
help choose candidates based on students votes. They will also be part of the committee
that will help the Student Council with events throughout the year.
 Please view Appendix C
Part VIII: Candidate Speeches (WHST 2a-f; 4-6; 10; RH 3; NJCCS)
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The top fifteen students who have the highest nominations will have an opportunity to
speak to their peers during an assembly held on October the 29th and October the 30th.
Assemblies will be held in the auditorium.
Part IX: Mock Election (Mock Election will take place Nov 1st)
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During the Mock Election which will be held on November the 1st, students will have an
opportunity to vote for their fellow peers.
The top 15 students with the most nominations in will be voted on November the 1st and
then reviewed by the McGinnis Electoral College also known as the 8th Grade Officers. The
top four students according to votes will be put in the following positions:
o 8th Grade Class President,
o 8th Grade Class Vice President
o 8th Grade Class Treasury
o 8th Grade Class Secretary
* Please review sample student ballot as attached in Appendix D
Part X: Resources:
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http://www.cnn.com/US/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032525/ns/us_news/
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/index.html
http://www.barackobama.com
https://www.mittromney.com
http://www.politico.com/2012-election/
http://www.njelections.org
Calendar of Events:
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Oct 15th – Oct 16th:
Oct 17th:
Oct 18th – 19th:
Oct 19th:
Oct 19th:
Tier Words
Map Analysis
Review Procedures on How to Vote
Student Nominations for Student Council
Homeroom class representative
8th Grade Council / Electoral College
 Oct 22nd:
Review Candidates Views
Positions on certain topics
(Essential Questions)
 Oct 23rd:
 Oct 29th-Oct 30th:
 Oct 31st:
Persuasive Writing: Campaign Speeches
 Nov 1st:
 Nov 1st – Nov 2nd:
 Nov 12th:
Student / Candidate Speech Assembly
Chart and Ballot Analysis
Review Candidates Positions
Mock Election
Electoral College / Election Results
Inaugural Commencement
Appendix B
William C. McGinnis
MIDDLE SCHOOL
McGinnis Middle School
8th Grade Student Council Nomination
Student Nomination: _____________________________
Student nomination forms are to be handed in by Friday, October the 19th.
Students who are selected will begin campaigning from October the 23rd –
November the 1st. Students will vote on the November the 1st during Social
Studies class.
The top 10 students with the most nominations in will be voted on November
the 1st and then reviewed by the McGinnis Electoral College also known as the
8th Grade Officers. The top four students according to votes will be put in the
following positions:
o
o
o
o
8th Grade Class President,
8th Grade Class Vice President
8th Grade Class Treasury
8th Grade Class Secretary
*Students cannot nominate themselves for these positions
Appendix C
McGinnis Middle School
8th Grade Class Officers
Nomination
 The McGinnis Electoral College also known as the 8th Grade
Officers will help choose candidates based on students votes.
They will also be part of the committee that will help the
Student Council with events throughout the year.
 Teachers are to count votes and select a winner to be there 8th
grade class officer for their homeroom.
 Students cannot nominate themselves
Student Nomination: _____________________________
Appendix D
President of the United States of America
*Please only Select one
 Barak Obama / Joseph Biden - Democratic Candidate
or
 Mitt Romney / Paul Ryan– Republican Candidate
Perth Amboy Mayor
*Please only Select one
 Wilda Diaz
Or
 Billy Delgado
8th Grade Student Council
*Please only Select one
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