WARM UP: Answer in your warm up sheet.

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We choose people to represent us in the government. What characteristics do you want your representative to have?

What values do you want them to have?

What kind of platform would you like them to stand on?

Unit 4, Lesson 3 (4.3) �A Federal Republic: Political Districts, State & Local Elections

EQ: How does representative government work at the state and local level?

Remember, we live in a republic.

We vote for elected officials to represent us, and they make decisions about government.

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How do we decide who represents who?

Political Districts

• Every person in the country has people who are elected to REPRESENT them.
• Elected Official: Members of government elected to represent a place
• Constituent: The people politicians have been elected to represent
• Everyone who lives in the SAME district has the SAME representative.
• Representatives must live in their own district

NC has 13 seats in Congress, & 13 Congressional districts

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Voting Districts

Local Elections

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These officials serve on small, local level. For example, within the city of Durham.

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For example,

• City Council
• Mayor
• Board of Education
• County Commission
• Sheriff
• District Attorney

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State Elections

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These officials represent their constituents at the state level.

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For example,

• NC House of Representatives
• NC Senate
• Governor

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Federal Elections

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These officials represent their constituents at the national level.

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For example,

• U.S. Congress
• U.S. Senate
• President

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Voting Districts

Local Elections

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Local government deals with services we access every day.

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Schools, the police and fire departments, parks, public transportation, sewers, water, waste management.

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State Elections

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State governments have a large role and share responsibilities with the local government.

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Highways, administration of welfare and benefits program, the justice systems, regulating industries, education.

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Federal Elections

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Federal government manages the country at the national level.

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Regulate interstate and foreign trade, war, immigration

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Who represents you?

Follow the directions in your packet to find who your representatives are.

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Voting Districts

Local Elections

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State Elections

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Federal Elections

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Voting Districts - Federal (Congressional)

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Voting Districts - Federal (Congressional)

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Types of Political Districts

At Large Districts

• Every voter in the entire city/county votes for an office
• Elected official represents ALL voters; EVERYONE is a constituent
• Example:
• 5 seats on county commission
• Each voter votes for 5 people.
• Top five vote earners win the seats

Single Member Districts

• City/county is divided into separate areas (called districts)
• Each district picks its own representative
• Elected officials represent ONLY their own district
• EXAMPLE :
• 5 seats on county commission
• 5 districts within the county
• Each voter votes for ONE person from their district.
• Winner in each district gets seat on commission

Types of Elections

Types of Elections

Partisan Election

• Ballot shows what political party each candidate represents
• Parties decide what candidate it wants on the ballot

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Nonpartisan election

• No mention of political party
• Candidates gather signatures to get on the ballot
• EXAMPLES:
• Judges
• School Board

Fewer voters participate in non-partisan elections because:

• They haven’t researched the candidates
• Don’t have party labels to rely on (can’t just pick whatever D or R is there)
• They may think these elections are less important

Types of Elections, Continued

Types of Elections Ctnd.

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• Winner-take-all system — 1 seat, most votes wins, second place gets nothing

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• Proportional representation — multiple seats, voters choose the party they prefer, parties win seats based on how many votes they get

Election Too Close to Call?

Runoff Elections

• Some places require candidates to get 50%+1 of the vote to win.
• If 3 or more candidates split the vote and no one reaches 50%, a RUNOFF election is held between just the top two vote getters

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Recounts

• If the popular vote is super close (less than 1%), there is an automatic recount of the votes to make sure no mistakes were made

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Recall Election

• some states allow voters to remove an official from office BEFORE the end of their term

Referendum

On Durham’s Ballot Fall 2019

• Affordable Housing Bond

National Examples Fall 2016

• Legalizing Marijuana
• Recreationally: CA, NV, AZ, MA, ME
• For medical use: 4-5 others
• Minimum Wage Increases:
• Colorado, Arizona, Maine; Washington, South Dakota
• Gun Control Laws
• Maine, California, Nevada, Washington

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A state or local law that citizens can vote on directly.

On November 5th, 2019 there is a local election. Durham will elect 3 at-large city council members, as well as a mayor, and vote on a referendum. It is a non-partisan election.

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What does local government do?

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Local government provides and manages services we use every day.

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Police Department. Libraries. Schools. Sewers. Water. Waste management. Public parks. Fire department. Sewers. Sidewalks and roads. Buses & bus shelters.

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Now: Durham Ballot 2019

Candidate Research

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On the back of your organizer:

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• Why did you choose the candidates you did?

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• What issues did they say they would take action on & what action did they say they would take?

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• How will this city council candidate change your life in Durham?

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