Civics 101: A Road Map to Voter Empowerment. Structure & Authority of Federal, State, and Local Government. By U.S. Congresswoman Alma S. Adams Ph.

Transcription

1 Civics 101: A Road Map to Voter Empowerment Structure & Authority of Federal, State, and Local Government By U.S. Congresswoman Alma S. Adams Ph.D 1

2 The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not the president, not senators; not Congressmen or Congresswomen; not the Governor, the legislature; the mayor or city council; County Commissioners or the School Board, but the voters of this county. - Franklin D. Roosevelt 2

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4 Federal (U.S.) Government Responsibilities Legislative Branch Introduce and pass legislation Introduce spending bills (House of Representatives) Confirm & impeach officials and ratify treaties (Senate) Executive Branch Enforce laws Power to declare war Appoint cabinet members and Supreme Court Justices The Judicial Branch Interpret the Constitution Review laws and decide cases 4

5 3 Branches of State Government 5

6 The Constitution Divides Power Between State and Federal Governments 6

7 County Government Structure Mecklenburg County Voters Board of County Commissioners (6 district reps & 3 at-large members) County Manager County Services Government Relations 7

8 County Government Responsibilities The county government handles soft services such as: Health Education Welfare Mental health services Social Services Parks and Recreation Libraries Emergency Services Board of Elections 8

9 City Government Structure City of Charlotte Voters Mayor City Council (7 district reps & 4 at-large members) City Clerk City Attorney City Manager Departments Support Departments 9

10 City Government Responsibilities City governments provide hard services such as: Water and sewer Solid waste removal Transportation Public safety Fire department Housing and neighborhood development 10

11 Board of Education Structure Mecklenburg County Voters Board of Education (6 district reps & 3 at-large members) Superintendent School System Administrators Principals, teachers, support staff 11

12 Board of Education Responsibilities The nine-member board is the governing body of Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools (CMS), with five primary responsibilities: Employ the superintendent Establish policy Determine annual operating and capital budgets Approve student assignment boundaries Oversee the management of the school district s major systems, including budget and finance, curriculum and instruction, personnel and auxiliary services 12

13 Politics controls everything in your life. Politics is about Who gets what, when, and how much. -Former Congressman Walter Fauntroy 13

14 Civic Engagement, Voting, and Elections Somebody is going to make decisions for you and about you, most times without you. So you need to be able to make those decision for yourselves or be able to control those who make them on your behalf. -Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. 14

15 Registering to vote and voting in every election is your responsibility. Somebody is going to make decisions for and about you, most times without you. So you need to be able to make those decisions for yourselves or be able to control those who make them on your behalf. -Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. 15

16 History of Voting Voting is controlled by individual state legislatures. Only white men age 21 and older who own land can vote The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution eliminates racial barriers to voting; however, many states continuing to practice voter discrimination. Poll taxes, literacy tests, fraud, and intimidation still prevent many from voting. Native Americans are still denied the right to vote The federal Civil Rights Act is passed to ensure that all men and women age 21 and older, regardless of race, religion, or education, have the right to vote. The 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, eliminating poll taxes nationwide The 26 th amendment is ratified, lowering the voting age to 18 years old. 16

17 Local Early Voting Turnout 2017 September Primary Election No Excuse Voting Totals SITE Site Totals to Date Aug 24 Aug 25 Aug 28 Aug 29 Aug 30 Aug 31 Sep 1 Sep 5 Sep 6 Sep 7 Sep 8 Sep 9 Beatties Ford Library Hal Marshall Independence Library Main Library SouthPark Area Rexford South County Library Steele Creek University Area JW Clay West Boulevard Library Site Totals Absentee By-Mail Ballots Approved by the Board 193 Grand Total

18 Who Represents Me??

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21 Mecklenburg County Voter Card 21

22 There is a difference between being concerned and being committed. Most people are concerned about something some issue or problem. But when you re concerned about the problem you usually talk a lot about it, you don t do much about it and your position is negotiable. But when you are truly committed, you don t just talk about the problem, you do something about it and your position is never negotiable. 22

23 Civic Engagement Beyond the Booth Advocacy It doesn t stop with voting! The broad support of a cause / recommendation of an action. Lobbying Attempting to directly influence law makers Electoral Participation Voting or running for office 23

24 Power is what makes the difference in lives and communities; and the first thing you have to understand about power and how to get it is, you don t ask someone how to get it is, you don t ask someone how to get it, where it is, or can you have it, you take it! And once you ve taken it, you use it. 24

25 Questions? 25