If you are planning to vote absentee in this year’s federal elections, make sure you request a ballot early.
Asked by Anonymous
How can citizens recall a congress person
Citizens cannot recall a U.S. Senator or Representative because the ability to remove a member of Congress was not written into the Constitution. The Constitution describes the term length and the courts have said that no action by a state or citizen can override it.
However, there is one way for a U.S. Senator or Representative to be terminated before the end of the normal term. Other members of the House or Senate, whichever body the member of Congress belongs to, can remove a fellow member by a two-thirds vote. This process is called “expulsion” and it’s outlined in the Constitution.
To learn more about how to remove a member of Congress, download this report from the Congressional Research Service (PDF).
Asked by Anonymous
Who is in charge of the qualifying of candidates for the various parties to become president of the United States and who is responsible for making sure that candidate is a valid "naturally born" United States citizen?
The Constitution lists only three qualifications for Presidential candidates: the person must be at least 35 years of age, be a natural born citizen, and must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.
The guidelines that candidates must follow in order to qualify for elections differ from state to state, according to a Congressional Research Service report (PDF). Generally, candidates for President must file a statement of candidacy with the secretary of the state or the state’s party chair. In some states, the Secretary of State may automatically certify candidate names for the ballot by other methods. Presidential candidates may also be required to pay a filing fee, submit petitions, gather signatures, or perform all of these actions.
Find your state’s elections website to learn more about how they qualify Presidential candidates for the ballot.
Asked by chameleon-eyes
i'm studying abroad and will out of the country for my state's primary. how do i go out about requesting an international absentee ballot?
Several states will be holding elections on Tuesday, November 8.
- Kentucky, Mississippi and West Virginia will hold elections for governor.
- Some districts in California, Nevada and New York will hold special elections for seats in the House of Representatives. There are no regularly scheduled Senate or House elections.
- Oregon will also have a primary election for a House seat, with a special election being held January 31, 2012.
Though there are no major national races, many states have local and state elections tomorrow. You can contact your state to see if you needed to preregister to vote or if you can register tomorrow at the site of your polling location. Each state has its own rules and regulations for voting and polling locations.
Find your local polling hours and location.