1. 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
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. 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
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7. 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
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. District 1 Candidates
Rhonda Lennon
Christine Mast
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18. District 2 Candidates
Thelma Byers-Bailey
Richard McElrath
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20. District 4 Candidates
Tom Tate
Queen Elizabeth Thompson
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21. District 5 Candidates
Eric Davis
Edward Donaldson
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22. District 6 Candidates
Paul Bailey
Bolyn McClung
Doug Wrona
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23. 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
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24. Middle and High School
Additional ballot questions
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25. 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
26. Charlotte At-Large
At-Large = Represents entire city
4 seats available
Candidates
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Michael Barnes
Eric A. Cable
Claire Fallon
Vanessa Faura
Mark Frietch
Ken Harris
David Howard
Vi Alexander Lyles
Dennis Peterson
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27. 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
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28. North Mecklenburg towns
Cornelius
5 seats
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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.
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Stacey Anderson
Beth Cashion
Jim Fuller
Rodney Graham
Brian Jenest
Rick Short
Connie J. Wessner
Vince Winegardner
Huntersville
6 seats
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Melinda Bales
Lawrence Brinson
Franklin Freeman
Charles S. Guignard
Ron Julian
Rob Kidwell
Sarah R. McAulay
Jeff Neely
Danny Phillips
Nick Walsh
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29. 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
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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
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30. Student referendum
It is important to learn, think, and decide
about civic issues. What’s your opinion?
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Change control of the Charlotte airport?
Require citizens to show identification before voting?
Learn about the issues
www.generationnation.org/index.php/election/candidateguide2013
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31. Get ready to vote!
www.generationnation.org | facebook.com/generationnation | twitter.com/gennation
32. 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
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33. 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
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34. 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
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35. 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?
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36. 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
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37. 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
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