Showing posts with label Civics. Show all posts

Monday, November 4, 2013

Elections!

Ranked Choice Voting in Minneapolis

Why use Ranked Choice Voting?

Sample ballot

City Questions (Ballot Measures)

CITY QUESTION 1 (Minneapolis)

PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY CHARTER

Shall the Minneapolis City Charter be amended in the form of a complete revision which (1) modernizes the Charter; (2) redrafts its provisions for brevity and in plain language; (3) reorganizes the Charter into nine articles, and groups related provisions together; (4) removes from the Charter certain provisions for possible enactment into ordinance; and (5) retains the current role and relationships of City boards and commissions? Must be passed by 51%

CITY QUESTION 2 (Minneapolis)

PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY CHARTER LIQUOR-LICENSING PROVISIONS

Shall the Minneapolis City Charter provisions relating to the sale of liquor and wine be amended by reorganizing and rewriting in plain modern language?" Must be passed by 55%

Which offices are up for election?
What do these offices do?
Mayor
City Council
Board of Estimate and Taxation
Park and Recreation Commissioner

Candidates for Mayor

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Formal Amendment Process

Friday, November 2, 2012

Understanding the Election Map

Interactive Electoral Map

1) Media Influence

Romney's Videos

Obama's Videos

2) Money in Politics

What is a SUPER PAC?

Super PACs

Super PACs are a new kind of political action committee created in July 2010 following the outcome of a federal court case known as SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission.

Technically known as independent expenditure-only committees, Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates. Super PACs must, however, report their donors to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly or quarterly basis -- the Super PAC's choice -- as a traditional PAC would. Unlike traditional PACs, Super PACs are prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates. For more information about how much money Super PACS spend and how, check out the source of this excerpt: Opensecrets

Super PAC Media

Restore Our Future Videos

Priorities USA Videos

American Crossroads Videos

Where does the money come from?

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Senators and Representatives

As we have already discussed two of the most important jobs in the Government are those of Senators and Representatives (Members of Congress).
This year we will be electing both a senator (elected for 6 year terms) and a representative (elected for 2 year terms) to speak for MN and (district 5) in Congress).

Here are your choices for Senator

Stephen Williams (Independence)

Kurt Bills (Republican)

Amy Klobuchar *Incumbent (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)

Tim Davis (Grassroots)

Michael Cavlan (Minnesota Open Progressives)

(As of right now, Amy Klobuchar has a significant lead over here challengers and is expected to win easily)

Here are your choices for Representative of the 5th District

Chris Fields (Republican)

Keith Ellison *Incumbent (Democratic-Farmer-Labor)

(As of right now, Keith Ellison is expected to win)

My Ballot

1) Type in your Zip Code HERE

Type in Your Address

2) Find your Sample Ballot at the bottom

3) Find your Polling Place (if you are 18)

Monday, October 22, 2012

Presidential Election

Mitt Romney (Republican)

Barack Obama (Democrat)

____________________________________________________________________________

Gary Johnson (Libertarian)

Jill Stein (Green Party)

Virgil Goode (Constitution Party)

Rocky Anderson (Justice Party)

Peta Lindsay (Party for Socialism and Liberation)

Stewart Alexander (Socialist Party)

James Harris (Socialist Workers Party)

Roseann Barr (Peace and Freedom)

Tom Hoefling (American Independent Party)

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Governor on ALEC Bills

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Gay Rights in MN

Minnesotans United for all Families

Minnesota Family Council

What are the arguments for the Marriage Amendment?

What are the arguments against it?

How will it be decided?

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Where were you this summer?

The Bachmann/Boehner Benefit protest

The Wellsfargo Protest

Or the CTUL Fundraiser

Shut Down RISE UP!

Did you check out the President?

Were you left out?

1) 8 Reasons Young Americans Don't Fight Back

2) What about a game?

There are always ways to get involved, there are already groups out there that you can join. You don't have to be the leader at first, just get involved. When you are around people who are committed to changing the world, it changes you -for the better.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Party Platforms and Candidates

1) Look at the various "planks" (positions on an issue) in the "platform" (The overall set of beliefs of the party) what are some examples of each party's platform(pick 2-3 from each party).

2) Pick one issue on the national level, how does each party feel about it. Do they give examples of how they plan on dealing with the issue?

3) Pick one issue on the local level, how does each party feel about it. Do they give examples of how they plan on dealing with the issue?

4) Do you think that there are some issues in which a local party may disagree with the national party? Can you think up an example?

5) Pick an election race, (governor, representative etc) and visit the webpages of the candidates how do they compare and contrast on issues?

6) If you have time left, check out the third party websites. What good ideas do they present?
It should be noted right now the governors race is really close with the Independence Party, GOP and DFL candidates all in the running.
Recent polling:
Dayton 40 percent
Emmer 38 percent
Tom Horner 15 percent
5 percent are still undecided.

7) Check out Project Vote Smart

National Democratic Party Platform

National Republican Party Platform

MN Democratic-Farmer-Labor Platform

MN Republican Party

What about a third party?

Independence Party

The Resource Party

Green Party

Grassroots Party of MN -Chris Wright for Governor

Independent-Progressive -Michael Cavlan for Representative

Ecology Democracy Party of MN

Independent Party -Lynne Torgerson for Representative

Monday, April 26, 2010

TEA PARTY!!!!!!!!!

Pictures from the Tea Partiers

The Contract from America

The Tea Party Patriots

Some of the Philosophy behind "Tea Party" liberty

Funding of Tea Parties

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Monday, April 5, 2010

Timeline to healthcare (check out some of the articles from each decade)

The case for change (pick a couple of states)

Friday, May 1, 2009

Recent Acts of Civil Disobedience

Your MN Representative being arrested for acts of Civil Disobedience in regards to Sudan

Friday, April 24, 2009

The Constitution

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Senate Recount Underway

The Senate recount is underway and its changing by the day.
For updates check here.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Elections Update

MN

PRESIDENTIAL

McCain 44%
Obama 54%
Nader 1%

CONGRESSIONAL

Representatives
District 1 Walz 63% (D)
District 2 Kline 57% (R)
District 3 Paulsen 48% (R)
District 4 McCollum 69% (D)
District 5 Ellison 71% (D)
District 6 Bachmann 46% (R)
District 7 Peterson 72% (D)
District 8 Oberstar 68% (D)
Senate
Coleman 42% (R)
Franken 42% (D)
Barkley 15% (I)
*Automatic Recount*

The MN State House is a little bit harder to find information on, however it seems that Democrats picked up seats last night.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

CLEAN WATER, WILDLIFE, CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND NATURAL AREAS
Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to dedicate funding to protect our drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore our wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife habitat; to preserve our arts and cultural heritage; to support our parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater by increasing the sales and use tax rate beginning July 1, 2009, by three-eighths of one percent on taxable sales until the year 2034?