This document outlines the voting process and importance of civic participation for students. It explains that voting allows communities to make important choices about their government. It encourages students to learn about issues and candidates before voting. The steps of the voting process are described, including campaigns, ballots, voting booths, and counting votes according to the majority rule. Students will participate in a mock school election to help learn about democracy.

1. I Voted! Make a choice by voting…

2. Why do we vote? We make choices every day What you want to eat What you want to wear to school You can make a choice because you like one thing better than another Some choices have better consequences than others

3. Why do we vote? (continued) People in communities also make choices It is a way that members of a community can make important choices about their government. BUT BEFORE VOTING…people need to learn as much as they can about the consequences of each choice

4. Before Voting - Get the FACTS Learn about a subject you are voting on Learn about a person you are voting for Talk about the good and bad points of each choice with others

5. Voting - The Process An election - the setting for where people vote for a new law or a candidate (a person running for a special job) There is a LOT of speaking and publicity around an election where people try to make others aware of what is going on and what to possibly vote for (CAMPAIGNING)

6. Voting- The Process (continued) The ballot - can be paper or electronic and lists all the choices available to vote for; people place a mark by their choice

7. Voting - The Process (continued) The vote- everyone’s vote is kept secret Each person goes into a voting booth and makes a choice without anyone else watching Voters DO NOT PUT THEIR NAME on the ballot Why do you think this is?

8. Voting - The Process (continued) The count - the ballots are counted to see who won the most votes Majority Rule : more than half of the people voted for a candidate What about those people who did not vote for the winner? They are the minority, but they still have rights and their ideas still matter. This is called Minority Rights

9. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN We are going to have a class campaign and election. There will be 4 groups that will campaign. Each group will have a: President Vice President 2 to three campaigners to help

10. Step 1 - The Platform Brainstorm and create a list of 10 reasons for why people should vote for your group to be chosen. THINK about ways you can improve the classroom and change the school for GOOD Consider problems and how you can fix them SLOGAN -think of a catchy slogan for people to vote for you…

11. Step 2: Presentation Each group will create their own powerpoint with their platform on it. You will then present your powerpoint to the class.

12. Step 2 - Presentation (continued) You will make a powerpoint with 6 slides 1 INTRODUCTION (title) slide 5 PLATFORM slides Each slide should have: A background A title 1 idea Bonus: picture and transition

13. Step 3 - Listening During each presentation, the other groups will be in the audience listening to the presenting group’s ideas Think about if their ideas could work Think about how it would affect you as a member of this class --do you agree or disagree Write down questions you may have for this group

14. Step 4 - The Debate