Elections and Voter Registration

Elections

• An election is where qualified citizens vote, exercising their power in government.
• Citizens vote at a polling place, such as a school or library.
• Election workers verify voters using an official list.
• State governments determine election procedures.
• In Florida, voters must show a photo ID with a signature.
• Voters receive a ballot to fill out privately, or use a voting machine.
• Ballots list candidates running for local, state, and national offices.
• Voters make selections by filling in ovals, punching holes, or using levers.
• Votes are counted after the election closes.
• A recount is done if the vote is close.
• In Florida, president and vice president options are the same for all, however, options for other public offices vary by district.
• Absentee ballots are available for those who can't go to their polling place.

Voter Registration

• Only registered citizens can legally vote, registration involves entering information in an official record.
• Voter registration helps the government prevent election fraud.
• Each state sets its own voter registration rules.
• In Florida, voters must register 29 days before an election.
• The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 ("Motor Voter Act") requires states to offer voter registration when people apply for or renew driver's licenses.
• The Department of Motor Vehicles sends this information to state election officials.
• States must also register voters at offices serving people with disabilities or offering public assistance.
• Voter registration is also available at state election offices, public libraries, and military recruitment offices.
• To register in Florida, a person must:
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Be a Florida resident
  • Be at least 18 years old (pre-register at 16)
  • Not be judged mentally incapacitated regarding voting
  • Not be convicted of a felony without voting rights restored
  • Provide a Florida driver's license or ID card number
• Most states offer online voter registration.
• Florida residents can register online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov.
• Online registration requires a Florida driver's license or ID card and the last four digits of the Social Security number.
• A National Voter Registration Card can be completed and sent to state election officials.

Requirements to Run for Office

• Requirements vary by federal, state, and local levels, and by the office itself.
• The U.S. Constitution sets requirements for most federal offices.
• House of Representatives requirements (Article I, Section 2):
  • At least 25 years old
  • U.S. citizen for seven years
  • Resident of the state they represent
• Senate requirements:
  • At least 30 years old
  • U.S. citizen for nine years
  • Resident of the state they represent
• Presidential requirements:
  • At least 35 years old
  • U.S. resident for 14 years
  • Natural-born U.S. citizen
• State and local requirements vary and are described in state constitutions.
• Many states have age, residency, and citizenship requirements similar to the U.S. Constitution.
• Florida requirements:
  • Governor: at least 30 years old, resident, and registered voter for at least seven years
  • Lieutenant Governors and cabinet members: lived in Florida for seven years
  • State legislature: 21 years old, resident of the district for two years
  • Other offices (e.g., public defender, judge): resident of the district at the time of election
• Most Florida cities and towns do not have age requirements for local officials, other than being a registered voter (18 years old).
• Residency requirements are usually a year or less.

Primaries

• Candidates compete for their party's nomination in a primary election before the general election.
• Primary elections became popular in the early 20th century to allow party members to participate.
• Types of primary elections:
  • Closed primaries: Only registered party members can vote (e.g., Florida).
  • Open primaries: All voters can vote in the primary of their choice.
  • Blanket primaries: Voters can choose a candidate for each office from any party's list.
  • Non-partisan primaries: Used in non-partisan races like municipal elections. If a candidate wins a majority, they win the office; otherwise, the top two candidates proceed to the general election.
• Some states use caucuses instead of primary elections.
• A caucus is a closed meeting of party members to select candidates or delegates.
• Participants declare themselves as candidates, often at a press conference or public event.

Campaigns

• Presidential candidates sometimes announce their candidacy two years before the election.
• Announcing early allows candidates to raise funds and garner support.
• Some candidates wait for public support before announcing.
• Organizations vary in size and complexity.
• Running for a local office might only require a small, local campaign organization.
• Candidates spend time fundraising by:
  • Calling partners and supporters
  • Organizing fundraising events
  • Conducting direct mail campaigns
  • Creating websites to attract small donations
• The candidate with the most money during presidential primaries is often considered the frontrunner.
• Candidates use various methods to reach voters during primaries and general elections.
• Party platforms, debates, and political advertising are main ways for candidates to differentiate themselves.
• Platform:
  • A formal set of ideas and plans on important issues.
  • Addresses topics like immigration, economy, climate change, and education.
  • Reflects the opinions of most voters in the party.
  • Candidates focus their speeches on platform ideas and publish them on their websites.
• Debates:
  • Held during primaries and general elections.
  • In the general election, the debate is mainly between the two main party candidates.
  • Offer insight into how a candidate answers questions, interacts, and communicates.
• Political ads:
  • Allow candidates to control their presentation in a planned way.
  • Candidates can present themselves and their ideas exactly as they wish.
  • Can negatively portray an opponent, which can backfire.
• A candidate's platform, debate performance, and political advertising are key elements in the election.
• The Democratic and Republican parties hold national conventions a few months before the presidential election.
• Conventions formally announce the party's nominee and present their platform.
• Not all candidates go through the typical nomination process.
• Independent or third-party candidates can get on the ballot through a petition.
• Candidates must collect signatures from a specific number of qualified voters.
• Each state has different laws regarding nomination by petition.
• In 2020, a presidential candidate needed 1,000 valid signatures to be on the ballot in Washington state.
• Florida required a number of signatures equal to 1% of the state's registered electors.

How Voting Impacts Citizens at Each Level of Government

• National Elections:
  • All registered Florida voters can vote for president and U.S. Senator.
  • Only registered voters can vote for the U.S. Representative.
  • Voters choose leaders who make decisions affecting the entire country, such as whether to go to war or change income taxes.
• State Elections:
  • All registered Florida voters can vote for governor and elected cabinet members.
  • Only registered voters can vote for the State Senator or Representative.
  • Voters choose leaders who make decisions affecting the state.
  • Making decision on building new roads, changing the school year.
  • Voters also directly vote on some state issues, like amendments to the state constitution.
• Local Elections:
  • Only local voters can vote in local elections.
  • Voters choose their leaders at the local level.
  • Also, directly vote on issues like funding local schools or property taxes.
  • These community decisions impact the citizens.