CONTENTS Chapter One Elections What Are They Chapter Two Understanding Political Parties Chapter Three Election Day Chapter Four Voting Is a Right Timeline Key US Presidential Elections Think About It Glossary Find Out More Index 5 11 17 23 28 29 30 31 32
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE Voting is a right that not everyone in the world has It's important to vote once you're old enough
ELECTIONS WHAT ARE THEY Chapter One Imagine you’re with some friends You want to go to a movie but you can’t agree on which one You decide to take a vote Friends raise their hands for different movies In the end the movie with the most raised hands or votes wins Voting is an easy way to find out what most of the people in a group want It’s also an important part of being a citizen Types of Elections When people vote on who will be in charge of something it’s called an election You may have voted in a student council election at your school Elections are held for many of the positions in local state and national governments Understanding how elections work can help you make smart decisions when it’s time to cast your vote There are several types of elections Some examples are primary elections general elections and special elections In a primary election members of a certain group vote to choose the person who will be that group’s candidate in the larger general election that follows The winner of the general election takes office for a certain amount of time called a term 5
