Kids Voting Missouri
Election 2012
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE FOR 4‐5 BALLOTS
(Or Other Upper Elementary Ballots)
Created by Sandy Diamond, Director, Kids Voting Missouri
Election Day, November 6, 2012
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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OVERVIEW
•
As part of Kids Voting MO, you
will take part in the upcoming
KVMO Election and vote on
many of the same candidates
as the adult voters.
•
On or near Election Day in
October or November, your
teacher will be taking you to
the Kids Voting Missouri poll at
your school to vote.
•
You will vote on a computer or
lap top using Kids Voting
USA’s on-line voter system“DoubleClick Democracy”
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Here’s What Voting
Will Look Like
On Left‐
Student Leaders ready to welcome student voters
On right—
Students checking in at sign‐in table
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Why is it important to vote?
• Voting is a great way to:
• Voice your opinion about who should lead our country or our state
• Tell people how you feel about an issue like should we raise taxes on cigarettes & other tobacco produces
• Practice being a citizen by making a decision
• Be part of a Democracy or free country
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who Gets To Vote?
„
In Kids Voting
Missouri
• Every student that
wants to can vote
• The Kids Voting
election is for
practice so when
you’re older, you
will sign up and vote
for real
• Remember practice
makes perfect!
„
In America,
• ONLY those people who are U.S. Citizens, 18 years & older, and who have registered or signed up ahead of time, can vote
Only ½ of all Americans sign up or register to vote & only ½ of these people actually vote.
What would you say to encourage someone to register & vote?
Missouri’s Official Deadline to Register is Oct. 10
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who Is On MY Kids Voting Ballot?
„
President of the United States
• This person will live in Washington, D.C., at the White House, and will run our country.
„
United States Senator
• This person, from Missouri, will go to Washington, D.C. to be one of only 100 U.S. Senators. He or she will help make laws (rules) for our country. Each state gets 2 U.S. Senators…you will vote for 1 of them.
„
United States Representative
• This person is one of 435 members of Congress. They are elected by the people to make laws for the United States. Missouri has 8 Congressional Districts. You live in one of these 8 Districts and will vote for one of the U.S. Representatives from YOUR Congressional district.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who Is On MY Kids Voting Ballot?
„
The Governor of Missouri
• This person will live in Jefferson City, MO‐our state capitol, and will run our state government; he or she is head of the Executive Branch. He or she can serve only two terms of 4 years each.
„
Lt. Governor of Missouri
• This person also will live in Jefferson City and will help the Governor. Should the Governor get sick or be away from the state, the Lt. Governor will take over the duties of Governor.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who Is On MY Kids Voting Ballot?
„
Secretary of State
• This person is Missouri’s chief election official and helps organize and run all of our elections; he or she also takes care of the Great Seal of the State of Missouri
„
State Treasurer
• This person handles the state’s money. Money that comes in from taxes is put into the state treasury. Money that’s not needed to pay bills is invested so that Missouri’s money can grow. This person, like the Governor, can only be elected to this office twice.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who Is On MY Kids Voting Ballot?
„
Attorney General
• This person must actually be an attorney or lawyer. Once elected he/she must live in Jefferson City. An attorney general can give legal opinions or advice to the Governor, State Senators, State Representatives, and other state officials
• The Attorney General also represents Missouri in Court
• He or she helps protect Consumer’s Rights to make sure we’re not taken advantage of
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Let’s Meet the Candidates
Presidential Candidates
Hi! My name is Barack Obama and I want to be your President
I represent the Democratic Party
My Mascot is the Donkey
Hi! My name is Mitt Romney & I want to be the next President.
I represent the Republican Party
My Mascot is the Elephant
Hi! My name is Gary Johnson & I want to be the next President.
I represent the Libertarian Party—we’re known as a 3rd Party
My Mascot is the Statute of Liberty
To be President, I must be 35 years old, a natural born citizen of the United States, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Why Do You Want to
Be President?
„
„
I want to continue helping the American people by helping them get good jobs
I want to make sure that everyone who gets sick can go to the Doctor http://www.barackobama.com/
„
„
I think I can do a better job than President Barack Obama I want to expand Charter Schools and give financial bonuses to teachers that teach Math & Science & teachers with proven results
‰I believe that every parent has a right to choose what school his or her child goes to
‰I feel that access to the Internet should not be taxed
http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/issues
http://aboutmittromney.com/education.htm
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Which of these matters the most when deciding whom to vote for?
1. Their Character…Which person can I trust the most?
2. Their Qualifications…What education and/or abilities does this person have that would be helpful in the office they are seeking?
3. Their Experience…What skill does the person have that would help them lead our state or country?
4. Their Personality…Will this person be able to get people to do things?
5. Their Values…Does this person share my way of thinking?
6. Their Leadership Skills… They do the right thing & get others to follow them.
7. What Others Think …I want to vote the way my friends vote
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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How is the President Elected?
1. A President is elected every 4 years on the 1st Tuesday in November after the 1st Monday
2. Registered Voters in each state go to the polls and vote for the candidate they think will do the best job
3. Votes from all the people are counted‐this is called the Popular Vote.
4. However, a group called the Electoral College actually elects the president (each state gets electors that equal their 2 U.S. Senators + number of Congressional Districts (in MO = 10)
5. The candidate with 270 electoral votes wins the election.
6. If no candidate gets 270 electoral votes, the House of Representatives will decide who is President.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Electoral Votes…
How many electoral college votes does each state get?
www.
cspanclassroom.org
Contact C‐Span for free classroom map.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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United States Senators
„
„
„
„
Each State in the United States gets 2 Senators
This means that there are 100 Senators for the entire USA
These Senators represent their states and make laws (rules) for the entire country
On your Kids Voting ballot, you will get to vote for one of Missouri’s two U.S. Senators
• We voted for the other U.S. Senator in 2010
„
The person that Missouri elects will go to Washington, D.C. in January to join other members of Congress
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Let’s Meet Missouri’s U.S. Senate Candidates
Dear K
ids
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Senate
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offices nd other bu
not on t they are your K
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Voting
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Hi! I’m Claire McCaskill
Hi! I’m Todd Akin I am a Democrat
I am a Republican
I want to keep the U.S. Department of Education
I want to get rid of the U.S. Department of Education
For More Info http://clairemccaskill.com/
For More Info http://www.akin.org/
To be a U.S. Senator, I must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for 9 years, and a resident of Missouri
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Candidates for U.S. House of Representatives
„
Depending on where you live in Missouri, you get to vote for someone to be your U.S. Representative from one of these 8
districts
To be a U.S. Congressman, I must be at least 25 years old, a
citizen of the United States for 7 years, and a resident of Missouri
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Here are the Candidates from all 8
Missouri Congressional Districts
District
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
Democratic Candidate
Lacy Clay
Glenn Koenen
Eric C. Mayer
Teresa Hensley
Emanuel Cleaver II
Kyle Yarber
Jim Evans
Jack Rushin
Republican Candidate
Robyn Hamlin
Ann Wagner
Blake Luetkemeyer
Vicky Hartzler
Jacob Turk
Sam Graves
Billy Long
Jo Ann Emerson
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who’s Running for Congress from MY Congressional District
„
To find out which Congressional District you live in, follow these simple directions:
•
•
•
•
Using a computer & Internet, go to www.vote411.org
Find Build Your Ballot & click on “on‐line voter’s guide”
Use the drop down box and find Missouri—click submit
In the box to your right, enter your home address, your city, and your zip code & click GO
• A chart should appear with your information. You should see your
„
Congressional District, State Senate District (called upper house); and State Representative District (called lower house)
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who is running for Governor?
Hi! I’m Governor Jay Nixon and I want to continue to be your Governor. I’ve kept our taxes low and brought jobs to Missouri. I represent the Democratic Party.
Hi! My name is David Spence and I would like to be Missouri’s next Governor. I am not a politician and think I can do a better job than our current Governor. I represent the Republican Party.
To be Governor, I must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for 15 years, and a resident for 10 years before the election
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Why Do You Want to Be Governor?
„
During the last 4 years, I’ve helped bring thousands of jobs to Missouri.
„
„
I am a good leader and with your vote can continue to help Missouri get better.
„
„
„
I made sure our public schools got the money they needed to give kids the best education.
http://jaynixon.com/
In the last 4 years Missouri actually has lost a lot of jobs…I can help bring more jobs to Missouri than Gov. Nixon.
We need a real person not a politician running our government.
We need to get back to the basics in Education—let the local school districts run their schools NOT the government.
http://www.spenceforgovernor.com/home/#
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who’s Running for Lt. Governor
Hi! My name is Susan Montee and I’m running for Lt. Governor. I represent the Democratic Party.
Hi! My name is Peter Kinder and I’m also running for Lt. Governor. I represent the Republican Party.
To be Lt. Governor, I must be at least 30 years old, a Citizen of
the United States for 15 years, and a resident of Missouri for 10
Years before the Election.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who’s Running for Secretary of State
My name is Jason Kander and I want to be the next Secretary of State. I belong to the Democratic Party.
My name is Shane Schoeller and I want to be the next Secretary of State. I belong to the Republican Party.
To be Secretary of State, I must be a citizen of the United
States and a resident for 1 year before the election.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who’s Running for Attorney General?
My name is Chris Koster and I want to stay in office as Attorney General. I belong to the Democratic Party.
My name is Ed Martin and I want to be the next Attorney General. I belong to the Republican Party.
Hi! To run for Attorney General, I must be licensed to practice law, a citizen of the U.S., and a resident of Missouri for a year before the election.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Who’s Running for State Treasurer?
Hi! My name is Clint Zweifel. I would like another term as State Treasurer. I belong to the Democratic Party
Hi! My name is Cole McNary. I would like to become the next State Treasurer. I belong to the Republican Party.
Hi! To run for State Treasurer, I must be a citizen of the U.S. for 15 years and a resident of Missouri for 1 year before the election.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Issues on the Ballot
„
Voters also get to decide certain issues. Some are started or initiated by the citizens who sign petitions to get an issue on the ballot—these are called Initiative Petitions.
„
Some issues are brought about or Proposed by the Missouri Legislature. These must be approved or rejected by the voters.
„
On your Kids Voting Missouri ballot, you will vote for one of the issues‐‐‐Proposition B—the Healthy Missouri Initiative. This issue was initiated by the citizens. Prop B wants to increase the amount of tax people pay on cigarettes and other tobacco products. „
NOTE: The Prop B language on your Kids Voting Missouri ballot is a bit simpler than the one that will appear on the adult ballot. We have modified the issue for the Kids Voting Missouri program. Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Issues on the KVMO Ballot
The Healthy Missouri Initiative or Proposition B
„
„
A Yes Vote would
increase the tax
A No Vote would leave
the tax at 17 cents
per pack of cigarettes
Prop B calls for a 73‐cent tobacco tax hike. The tax increase would basically increase taxes on a pack of cigarettes from 17 cents to 90 cents a pack. According to reports, it is estimated that the tax would generate between $283 million and $423 million in addition to already collected revenues per year. The additional funds would be allocated to tobacco prevention and education in Missouri.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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How to Make A Decision
„
„
„
Identify the problem…What is the problem?
Collect data on the issue—do some research
What are the alternatives?
• What happens if I vote for this issue?
• What happens if I vote against this issue?
„
„
What are your personal values regarding this issue?
Make your decision
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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What Will My Ballot Look Like?
NOTE: THIS IS A SAMPLE OF THE FIRST PAGE OF YOUR KVMO BALLOT—
YOUR KIDS VOTING BALLOT WILL HAVE YOUR DISTRICT’S NAME ON IT
Step 1: Select your grade level
Step 2: Begin voting for President, U.S. Senate, U.S. Rep., Governor, Lt. Gov., Secretary of State, Attorney General, & State Treasurer—simply select your candidate and scroll down the page
Step 3: Last item‐‐Vote for Prop B
Step 4: Review your Ballot & Confirm
Step 5: Submit Vote
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Here’s the 2nd to Last Screen
Review Your Choices & Vote
Remember, Your Kids Voting Ballot Will Have Your District’s Name On It
On this screen, you will be asked to Review your choices. If you want to change a choice click on Go Back and make your change.
If your choices are okay, simply click on the Vote button.
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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Here’s the Last Screen on
My Ballot
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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AT THE END OF VOTING
Election Quick Ref Guide: 44-5: Created by Sandy Diamond, M.Ed., UMSL
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