Delegate+and+Alternate+Delegate+to+the+Party+Conventions

The United States Election System

An **__election__** is the process by which citizens select the men and women they would like to run their government. In the **United States**, government officials are chosen by the people and serve for a specific term. Officials can run for reelection once they have finished their term, but it depends on the state laws. Our system of government is called a representative democracy. American citizens do not directly make governmental decisions; they elect officials to govern for them.
 * __Elections__**
 * Most elections in our country are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November but elections for state offices may be held at any time, depending on state law.

====A **primary election** is held by the political parties to select their nominees for the offices to be elected at the upcoming general election. __Republicans__ run against __Republicans__ and //Democrats// run against //Democrats//. A primary election may also be held for nonpartisan races in order to narrow the number of candidates for the general election. The primary election is the first step in establishing who will be running in the general election.====

A **general election** is between party nominees and any candidates without political party affiliation. The **general election** determines which candidates will occupy the office that is up for election. Statewide ballot proposals also appear on the general election ballot.


 * Pennsylvania ** holds closed primary elections, meaning you must be a member of the party to vote for that party’s candidate (for example, you could not vote in the Republican primary unless you are a registered member of the Republican Party). Other states hold open primaries, in which you are allowed to vote for a candidate outside of your own party.

Primary elections in Pennsylvania are held on the third Tuesday of May in all years except Presidential years, when it is held on the fourth Tuesday of April.

There are two types of primaries: **open** and **closed** primaries.

In an **open primary**, the voter can vote for whomever he or she chooses, no matter what party one is registered too. An open primary allows a Republican to vote for a candidate in the Democratic Party. Alabama, Georgia, Washington, Texas, and Vermont all hold open primaries.

Conversely in a **closed primary**, those who are registered with a party can only vote for a candidate in his or her own party. Usually independent voters are left out of this type of election, because the primaries only deal with Republicans and Democrats. Alaska, Hawaii, New York, and Delaware are a few of the states that hold closed primaries.


 * Pennsylvania ** holds __closed__ primary elections. Their election is only open to registered Republicans and Democrats. Voters are also only able to vote for candidates in their own parties.In a closed primary, independent voters can vote only on ballot questions, not for elected officials.

__**Delegates**__ A delegate is an elected person picked to represent voters at the national party convention. The chosen delegates are then sent to the National Party Convention to cast their vote for the nominee of the party for the presidential election. The delegates that are elected will then aid in writing the 2012 platform for their party. Two other types of delegates that exist are:

__Alternative Delegates__ A person who is elected but does not have the same responsibilities as a delegate. An alternative delegate only votes when an elected delegate cannot pursue with his or her duties.

__Super Delegates__ A leader of the National Democratic Party who has a vote at the national convention. These delegates act as a check on decision making for inexperienced delegates and are very dedicated to one candidate.Super delegates are appointed by the party leaders.



There are 19 districts in Pennsylvania in which delegates can be elected. There are a total of 122 delegates, but since democrats believe in equality, 61 of those delegates are female and 61 of them are male. Along with those 122 delegates, there are 12 alternative delegates. All democratic delegates also need to meet the petition requirements of 250 signatures from democratic electors in the congressional district. Also, to become a delegate, one needs to file a statement of candidacy expressing his or her presidential preference.Democratic delegates must pledge their support to a particular candidate.
 * __Democratic Delegates__**

The Republican party uses ‘the winner takes all’ method. The ‘winner takes all’ method awards all of a state’s delegates to the candidate who received the most votes from the primary. Since the Republican Party focuses on fairness, they don't reserve certain spots based on gender. They take the top five by virtue of the election. The 2012 Pennsylvania 7th District Candidates for Delegate Michael Cocco, Robert J. Willert, Joe Grande, David W. Owens, Andy Lewis Patrick Henry Sellers, Patricia A. Booker, Michael V. Puppio
 * __Republican Delegates__**
 * Republican - **** (Vote for no more than four) **

**Democrat - (Vote for no more than 9 - 5 male and 4 female** Jean Davidson, Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., John I. Kane, Tom M. Herman Gerald Lawrence, Daylin B. Leach, Mary Ellen Balchunis-Harris, Ruth S. Damsker, Evelyn R. Sample-Oates