Elections and Voting
By Phyllis Naegeli

serve	health	legislature	knowing
important	nineteenth	jobs	citizen
bumper	catchy	certain	council
rutherford	register	environment

Directions: Fill in each blank with the word that best completes the reading comprehension.

     What topics are (1)  _______________________   to you? Do you worry about the (2)  _______________________  ? Do you think about safety at your school? Do you have (3)  _______________________   care? Leaders in our country decide what to do about these topics. But how do leaders get their jobs?
     Most leaders in our government are elected. People who want to be leaders are called candidates. Candidates usually belong to a special group. In the United States, there are two major groups, Republican and Democrat. They each have ideas about the government. Most of the time, they don't agree with each other.
     Candidates take part in campaigns. In a campaign, they talk about their ideas for government. Sometimes they make up slogans – (4)  _______________________   phrases people remember. They give out buttons and (5)  _______________________   stickers. They make phone calls. They give speeches, shake hands, and kiss babies.
     During a campaign, citizens listen to a person who wants to be a leader. People often talk about the campaign. If a citizen agrees with a candidate, the (6)  _______________________   votes for them. The person who gets the most votes wins.
     A vote is a very special right. It is the way people in America have their say in government. When you are eighteen, you will be given the right to vote. You will have to (7)  _______________________   in your town or city hall. Then you can help decide about our government.
     Votes are made on a (8)  _______________________   day. Each community has special places to vote called polling places. Here, there are ballots and machines for people to make their choice. Campaign workers stand outside to support their candidate. They carry signs and talk to voters to help them make last minute choices.
     Some people believe one vote doesn't matter. Yet, there are many stories where one vote made a difference. Texas became a state because of one vote. (9)  _______________________   Hayes became the (10)  _______________________   president by one vote. And, one vote kept Andrew Johnson from being impeached.
     Many different leaders are elected. Our national government has many elected people. We elect the president, Senators, and Representatives. Each state has a leader called a governor. States also have a (11)  _______________________  . The people who (12)  _______________________   in these (13)  _______________________   are elected. Cities have mayors. Towns have selectmen and clerks. Even fire chiefs are elected.
     Even though you cannot vote right now, you can get involved. Does your school hold elections? This is a great way to learn how they work. You can run for student (14)  _______________________  . You can help someone who is running for student body president. You can also read about important issues. (15)  _______________________   what you believe will help you vote later on. And, always remember, your vote does count.

Name _____________________________

Date ___________________

1.	How do most leaders in our government get their jobs? The president chooses them. They are elected. They are hired. They are drafted.

2.	A person who wants to be a leader in government is called a _______________.

3.	Republicans and Democrats agree on important issues all of the time. False True

4.	What is a slogan? A speech made by a candidate An election in a state A catchy phrase used by candidates None of the above

5.	When are you given the right to vote? When you register to vote When you get your driver's license When you are eighteen When you are born

6.	The president of our country is chosen by state governors. False True

7.	What is a polling place?

8.	Which of the following things are done during a campaign? Candidates make speeches Candidates make phone calls Candidates give away buttons and bumper stickers All of the above None of the above

Elections and Voting
By Phyllis Naegeli

Answer Key

     What topics are (1)  important   to you? Do you worry about the (2)  environment  ? Do you think about safety at your school? Do you have (3)  health   care? Leaders in our country decide what to do about these topics. But how do leaders get their jobs?
     Most leaders in our government are elected. People who want to be leaders are called candidates. Candidates usually belong to a special group. In the United States, there are two major groups, Republican and Democrat. They each have ideas about the government. Most of the time, they don't agree with each other.
     Candidates take part in campaigns. In a campaign, they talk about their ideas for government. Sometimes they make up slogans – (4)  catchy   phrases people remember. They give out buttons and (5)  bumper   stickers. They make phone calls. They give speeches, shake hands, and kiss babies.
     During a campaign, citizens listen to a person who wants to be a leader. People often talk about the campaign. If a citizen agrees with a candidate, the (6)  citizen   votes for them. The person who gets the most votes wins.
     A vote is a very special right. It is the way people in America have their say in government. When you are eighteen, you will be given the right to vote. You will have to (7)  register   in your town or city hall. Then you can help decide about our government.
     Votes are made on a (8)  certain   day. Each community has special places to vote called polling places. Here, there are ballots and machines for people to make their choice. Campaign workers stand outside to support their candidate. They carry signs and talk to voters to help them make last minute choices.
     Some people believe one vote doesn't matter. Yet, there are many stories where one vote made a difference. Texas became a state because of one vote. (9)  Rutherford   Hayes became the (10)  nineteenth   president by one vote. And, one vote kept Andrew Johnson from being impeached.
     Many different leaders are elected. Our national government has many elected people. We elect the president, Senators, and Representatives. Each state has a leader called a governor. States also have a (11)  legislature  . The people who (12)  serve   in these (13)  jobs   are elected. Cities have mayors. Towns have selectmen and clerks. Even fire chiefs are elected.
     Even though you cannot vote right now, you can get involved. Does your school hold elections? This is a great way to learn how they work. You can run for student (14)  council  . You can help someone who is running for student body president. You can also read about important issues. (15)  Knowing   what you believe will help you vote later on. And, always remember, your vote does count.

Answers to Reading Comprehension Questions

1

  They are elected.
2  candidate
3

False
4

A catchy phrase used by candidates
5

When you are eighteen
6

  False
7  The location in a community where people go to vote.
8

All of the above