Leadership and Elections

Overview

Review the information about leadership and elections here.  

The Speaker of the House, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader are elected positions.  The goal is to hold elections that mimic the actual elections process for municipal and partisan elections (April and November), not to mimic the authentic process for legislative leadership elections.  The process involves filing a declaration of intent to run for office, gathering signatures to get on the ballot, and having voters register and vote at a public polling location.  The election is set up with poll workers and a ballot designed to be authentic to the real elections process.  Students are not required to vote, so candidates need to campaign and get out the vote.  

The election materials and resources below need to be updated with deadlines, dates and petition numbers based on your schedule and the number of "eligible voters".  We'll work with you to make the needed updates.

Steps

1. File form to declare candidacy.

2. Gather signatures, and submit by deadline.

3. Announce who is on ballot.

4. Campaign and GOTV.

5. Register voters ahead of time or at the polls. 

6. Election Day.

Election Materials and Resources

Intro Leadership Roles- Overview of leadership roles.

Declaration of Candidacy Form  - Students who intend to run for an elected leadership role need to fill this out and return to the Elections Director by the due date

Instructions and Petition forms- Provide this information to candidates who file a declaration of intent.  Instructions for gathering petitions, and the forms themselves.  You need to determine and update the number of signatures to gain ballot access based on your student numbers).  A good rule of thumb is the number of eligible voters (total students for speaker, democrats for majority leader, republicans for minority leader) divided by 3 or 4. If you divide by three they have to get more signatures, and you'll end up with 2 candidates max.  If you divide by 4 you could end up with 3 candidates, but you'll lower the barrier to entry.    You can use (and modify) this simple "election signature calculator" to determine the number each semester. 

Voter Registrations Instructions and Forms  Rules Committee Members can register voters in their class ahead of time, but voters can also register at the polls, it just takes a bit more time. These voter registration forms need to be inserted into a binder or a folder in alphabetical order so that the Elections Registration Official can confirm the registration. (They could be sorted by class, or just all in alpha order- whatever works)

Election Rules and Process-This document lays out campaign rules related to ballots and the the duties of the people running the election.  I drew on the official Wisconsin Elections Manual, so it's very authentic to the actual process for local and state elections.  Share with the Rules Committee and especially the Elections Director/Chief Inspector

Election Inspector Instructions- this has the specific tasks that each of the 6-7 election inspectors will do on election day.  It includes a diagram of the setup.  The Chief Inspector and the Greeter are together responsible for maintaining an orderly environment.  

You should have all Election Inspectors sign the Oath the morning of the elections. 

Running Elections

Before Election Day

• Publish the names of the candidates for each office, and explain who can vote in each election.

• Have Rules Committee Members register voters in class  (no one is required to register or vote)

• Conduct campaign

• Prepare a MASTER ROSTER of all students sorted by party affiliation, and create the Poll Books (two columns, one with student names, one with a blank space to sign. Here is an example of what the Poll Books look like.  It can be more simple, but should list the name and party at a minimum.   This document has a cover page and voter numbers.  Be sure that there are enough numbers in each color for voters from each party.  

• Arrange for a space for the election, and 2 tables with 4-5 chairs.

• Create a Ballot Box, and a "voting booth" that provides privacy.  

• Post fliers (something like this, but possibly much nicer)

On Election Day (See these videos of students voting **Matt, the Majority Floor Leader now works for the Defense Dept)

• Meet with the election inspectors at least 30 minutes before the polls open.

• Post Election Signs (feel free to improve...)

• Set up tables and assign roles

• Administer the Oath to election inspectors

• Arrange materials

• Discuss a plan for secure ballot storage and tabulation

After the Polls Close

• Securely store and transfer ballots.  Count ballots and mark the results on a vote tally sheet.  Involve multiple students in counting and develop a trustworthy procedure.  Keep all ballots secure after the election in the event of a recount.  Confirm that the number of ballots cast matched the number of people who signed the poll book.  

• Announce and post the results.

• Draw together statistics (tables?  Graphs?)  about voter turnout.

• Congratulate the winners!!!  Invite them to join the next Rules Committee Meeting

Election Set Up

Materials needed:

• 2 tables 

• 4-5 chairs

• Name tags for each inspector

• Pens for making ballots

• Pens for inspectors

• One Stapler

• Democrat Ballots (blue)

• Republican Ballots (red)

• Independent Ballots (white)

• One ballot box (decorated!)

• Voting "booth" (privacy screen- a large box or science fair style poster board will work)

• Completed voter registration forms alpha order and placed in folders/binders (same day registration is allowed)

• Poll Book (roster with all names and parties listed)

• Barriers for crowd management if needed