PA Election

Pages:
2 pages (550 words) Double spaced

Type of paper:
Assignment Possible checklist Undergraduate (yrs. 1-2)

Discipline:
Political science

Title:
PA Election

Sources to be cited:
0

Paper format:
MLA

Paper instructions:
Objectives of this assignment:

1.Prepare for the upcoming election.

2.Discuss the role of state and local governments in elections.

3.Discuss the recent changes to Pennsylvania’s Congressional Districts.

First, find out the last date you can register, last date you can request an absentee ballot, where your polling place is, and what races will be on the ballot when you (hopefully!) vote in the upcoming election. A lot of this information is available from your county board of elections or the https://www.votespa.com/Pages/default.aspx website created by Pennsylvania’s Department of State (DOS).The DOS Important Dates Calendar may also be useful in answering some of the questions: https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/CandidatesCommittees/RunningforOffice/Documents/2019%20important%20dates.pdf

1.When is the last day I can register and still vote in the next election?Do I need to register in person?(1 point)

2.My polling place is located at (address or landmark): (1 point)

3.The Polls in Pennsylvania are open from what time in the morning until when in the evening? (1 point)

4.What offices are on the ballot?I’ve often been able to get a sample ballot either from DOS or my county board of election or a voter’s guide in the newspaper.The website VoteSmart.org also lists races.If you find a good resource (often local papers publish election guides) in finding information about state candidates, please share it with the class!(2 points)

5.List at least one candidate and the office they seek in the election this year.What is one issue being discussed? (2 points)

6.The federal government has some oversight but does not actually run the elections.What state and local agencies are responsible for elections in Pennsylvania? (1 point)

7.Recently, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court changed Pennsylvania’s U.S. Congressional Districts.Briefly, what happened; what has changed and what has not changed, why?(Some possible resources to check include:DOS website, https://www.votespa.com/Voting-in-PA/Pages/2018-Congressional-Remedial-Plan.aspx; PA Supreme Court Decisionhttp://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Supreme/out/j-1-2018concdissopinion.pdf#search=%22redistricting%20%27Supreme%2bCourt%27%22, PA Fair Districts website: https://www.fairdistrictspa.com/, a Politico article outlining the PA Republican request for the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/19/supreme-court-turns-down-gop-request-to-stop-pennsylvania-congressional-map-471851.)(2 points)