1. Unit 4: Politics, Elections, and
Citizenship
Alyssa Adamkowski, Rayan Jabr,
and Scott McKeon

2. Citizenship Status
Full Citizenship: by birth or naturalization process
Immigrant: a person trying to obtain citizenship through
naturalization
Alien: a person in a country to work or visit for a short
period of time
Illegal Alien: a person in a country without permission
Refugee: a person in a country because they are leaving
another country because of war, natural disaster, or
political persecution

3. Naturalization Process (USCIS)
1. File a Declaration of Intention and begin the 5 year
wait process (only 3 if the immigrant is marrying an
American citizen)
2. File an Application of Naturalization
3. Interview with an USCIS official and pass a citizenship
test
4. Sworn in a court with the oath of loyalty to the USA

4. Rights, Duties, and Responsibilities
• Right: Guaranteed by the Constitution
▫ Voting, practicing religion of choice, hold elected office, having a fair
trial, and Bill of Rights
• Duty: Required by Law
▫ Obeying laws, register for Selective Service, serving in court as s witness
or juror, attend school until the age of 16, paying taxes, and others
• Responsibility: Things You Should do but aren’t Required by Law
▫ Voting, participating in government, respecting rights of others, being
informed and others
Non-Citizens: everything above except; they can’t vote in political elections, can’t
run for government office, can’t hold certain government jobs

5. Theories of Integration
• Melting Pot Theory: the blending of races,
peoples, and cultures
• Tossed Salad: group of people together that
still holds onto their own diverse culture beliefs
while being one nation

6. How a Candidate Runs for Office
1. File a form to run for a position
2. Primary Election will be held within a political party to
narrow down to the best candidate to represent the
party; primary may be opened or closed
3. Candidates from each party (and independent
candidates) will take part in the General Election
All elections EXCEPT the presidential election the winner is
determined by majority of the popular vote

7. Questions Voters Should Ask
Themselves
Does the candidate share my views?
Is the candidate reliable?
Is the candidate experienced?
Will the candidate be effective?
Does the candidate have a chance to win?

8. Electoral College
The Presidential Election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday
in November and the winner is the candidate that receives the majority of
the electoral college votes
 Candidate needs 270 out of 538 electoral votes to win the election
 It is a winner take all system for electoral votes in each state
• Candidates will spend more time campaigning in the states will more electoral
votes
 If no candidate receives the majority of electoral votes the House of
Representatives will select the president

9. Criticisms of the Electoral College
1. The more populated states have more influence
2. A candidate can win popular vote, but lose the general
election
o The last time was 2000, when George Bush defeated Al Gore
by carrying the bigger electoral states
3. Some people suggest that the electoral votes be split up
by the percent of popular vote for each state

10. How Voters Can Influence Legislation
 Initiative: proposed law started by grass root
movement and then voted on by the constituents
 Referendum: proposed law by the
legislature and then voted on by the constituents
Constituents: people represented by the legislature

11. Political Parties
A political party is a group of people with similar
political views and interests and try to influence
the outcome of an election
Purpose of Political Parties:
oSelecting/ supporting a oGive citizens a voice
candidate oGet citizens involved
oKeep the public informed
oAct as watchdogs

12. Political Spectrum
Radical: Want widespread and rapid change in political, social, and
economic systems and may resort to violence to achieve goals
Liberal: Calls for gradual change in political systems and want
government involvement in making this happen
Moderate: (middle of the road) share viewpoints of both liberals and
conservatives and want a slower approach to change
Conservative: Favor keeping things the way they are and are very
cautious about change; they believe less government is better
Reactionary: Want things to go back to the way they were and will use
extreme methods like repressive government power to achieve goals

13. Types of Party Systems
• One Party System: (China) there is no confusion over who is in
charge but other viewpoint are ignored
• Two Party System: (U.S.A.) provides stability and continuity but
sometimes minority viewpoints are ignored
• Multi Party System: (Israel, Japan, Italy) provides a broad range
of choices but its hard for one party to get control so they form
unstable coalitions

14. Different Types of Interest Group Support

15. Particular Economic Interest
o American Medical Association (AMA)
o American Bar Association (ABA)

16. Particular Ethnic, Age, or Gender Group
o National Association Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP)
o National Organization of Women (NOW)

17. Specific Cause
o People Ethnical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
o National Rifle Association (NRA)

18. Public Interest
o American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

19. Different Types of Propaganda Techniques

20. Glittering Generality
Use attractive but vague words that make
speeches and other forms of communication
sound good but say nothing
-Miss America Answers-

21. Plain Folks
Makes the voters feel that the leaders are “just like
them” and do the same things the voters do

22. Bandwagon
Make it appear that many people have already
supported a candidate and that these people are
having fun and gaining a significant advantage

23. Card Stacking
Candidate lists accomplishments and statistics
that compare him/her favorably to their
opponent

24. Name Calling
Information is deliberately presented about the
opponent that is discrediting in nature

25. Transfer/ Symbol
Candidate is shown with symbols (flag, eagle,
Statue of Liberty) that makes the candidate seem
patriotic