kids voting election2010_mshs

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Election 2010

Grades 6-12

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Political parties

Groups of people who have similar ideasMajor US political parties– Democrats– Republicans– LibertariansVoting tip:– Focus more on the individual candidates, their

ideas and solutions than the parties

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On the ballot

US SenateUS House of RepresentativesNC Supreme Court Associate JusticeMecklenburg County CommissionMecklenburg County SheriffDistrict AttorneyBonds

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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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United States Senate

Vote for 1 candidate

Elaine Marshall Richard Burr Michael Beitler

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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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United States House

District 8 – If this is your district, vote for 1

Larry Kissell Harold Johnson Thomas Hill

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United States House

District 9 – If this is your district, vote for 1

Jeff Doctor Sue Myrick

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United States House

District 12 – If this is your district, vote for 1

Mel Watt Greg Dority Lon Cecil

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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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NC Supreme Court

Associate Justice: Vote for 1 candidate

Robert C. “Bob” Hunter Barbara Jackson

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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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County Commission

Harold Dan Jennifer Jim Dan Corey JackCogdell Murrey Roberts Pendergraph Ramirez Thompson Stratton

Vote for 1-3 candidates

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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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Sheriff

Vote for 1 candidate

Chipp Bailey Christopher Hailey

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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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District Attorney

Vote for 1 candidate

Michael Barnes Andrew Murray

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Bonds

Bonds are debt instruments issued by governmentInvestors include private citizens, companies, banks and othersPays for capital projects– Roads– Schools– Jails– Neighborhood improvements

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Bonds

Vote for all bonds you support

Roads and Transportation $156,600,000Neighborhood Improvements $32,000,000Affordable Housing $15,000,000

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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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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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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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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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Vote

At schoolOnlineAt voting sites– Early Voting– Election DayAsk your teacher or parents how you can vote in Election 2010Visit www.kidsvoting.org to learn more

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After the election

Look for election results– Compare the results of the official election

with the student voteKeep 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