Presentation about election for middle and hi

1. Election 2010
Grades 6-12
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2. Political parties
Groups of people who have similar ideas
Major US political parties
– Democrats
– Republicans
– Libertarians
Voting tip:
– Focus more on the individual candidates, their
ideas and solutions than the parties
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3. On the ballot
US Senate
US House of Representatives
NC Supreme Court Associate Justice
Mecklenburg County Commission
Mecklenburg County Sheriff
District Attorney
Bonds
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4. United States Senate
The Senator:
– Represents NC in the United States Senate
– Makes decisions
– Works with others…
• …to make national laws and policies on topics
such as education, the environment, highways,
taxes and global issues
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5. United States Senate
Vote for 1 candidate
Elaine Marshall Richard Burr Michael Beitler
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6. United States House
The Representative:
– Represents North Carolina residents in the
United States House of Representatives
– Makes decisions
– Works with the Senate to create and approve
legislation
– Initiates revenue bills, including taxes
– Can impeach officials
– Elects the President in the event of an Electoral
College deadlock
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7. United States House
District 8 – If this is your district, vote for 1
Larry Kissell Harold Johnson Thomas Hill
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8. United States House
District 9 – If this is your district, vote for 1
Jeff Doctor Sue Myrick
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9. United States House
District 12 – If this is your district, vote for 1
Mel Watt Greg Dority Lon Cecil
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10. NC Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is NC’s highest court.
– There is no further appeal in the state on the
judges’ decisions.
– The Court has no jury and makes no
determination of fact.
– It focuses only on procedures and judicial
interpretation.
The court has a chief justice and 6
associate justices who sit on a panel in
Raleigh.
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11. NC Supreme Court
Associate Justice: Vote for 1 candidate
Robert C. “Bob” Hunter Barbara Jackson
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12. County Commission
The County Commission:
– Adopts the annual county budget
– Sets the property tax rate
– Defines county priorities and policies
• on services such as parks, libraries, schools, health
– Hires the county manager
• a professional who manages the daily operations of
the county
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13. County Commission
Vote for 1-3 candidates
Harold Dan Jennifer Jim Dan Corey Jack
Cogdell Murrey Roberts Pendergraph Ramirez Thompson Stratton
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14. Sheriff
The Sheriff oversees:
– The operation of jails
– Delivery of legal papers (lawsuits)
– Courthouse security
– The Sheriff's Department, the county's law
enforcement agency
The Sheriff’s Office and the Police
Department serve different functions
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15. Sheriff
Vote for 1 candidate
Chipp Bailey Christopher Hailey
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16. District Attorney
The District Attorney, or DA:
– The District Attorney’s Office is part of North Carolina
Government. The state is divided into districts, most
covering multiple counties. The 26th District covers
only Mecklenburg County
– The DA’s office prosecutes traffic offenses,
misdemeanors and felonies on behalf of the State
– Includes misdemeanors, drugs, crimes against
property, crimes against persons, homicide and
special cases
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17. District Attorney
Vote for 1 candidate
Michael Barnes Andrew Murray
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18. Bonds
Bonds are debt instruments issued by
government
Investors include private citizens,
companies, banks and others
Pays for capital projects
– Roads
– Schools
– Jails
– Neighborhood improvements
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19. Bonds
Vote for all bonds you support
Roads and Transportation $156,600,000
Neighborhood Improvements $32,000,000
Affordable Housing $15,000,000
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20. Read, think, decide
1. Learn about the candidates and issues
2. Think about the information
3. Choose a candidate or issue
4. Vote
5. After the election, keep track of the
candidates, their promises and actions
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21. Read and learn
A helpful place to start: pick an issue you care about
– Education, environment, health, neighborhoods, safety, children
Find information about the candidates
– www.kidsvoting.org
– www.charmeckvotes.org
– www.charlotteobserver.com
– Candidate websites
– Videos of debates and interviews
– Other sources?
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22. Think
Does this information help me?
Is it from a good, truthful source?
Does it fit other facts I know?
How does it make me feel?
Do I know enough to make a decision?
– If not, learn and read more
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23. Choose a candidate
What does each candidate say?
– Ideas?
– Solutions?
– Complaints?
– Questions?
Which one do you agree with the most?
Will the candidate will do a good job?
Is the candidate a leader or a politician?
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24. Vote
At school
Online
At voting sites
– Early Voting
– Election Day
Ask your teacher or parents how you can
vote in Election 2010
Visit www.kidsvoting.org to learn more
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25. After the election
Look for election results
– Compare the results of the official election
with the student vote
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
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