II. ELECTIONS

1. Read and translate the text:

Anyone who is an American citizen, at least 18 years of age, and is registered to vote may vote. Each state has the right to determine registration procedures. A number of civic groups, such as the League of Women Voters, are actively trying to register as many people as possible. Voter registration and voting among minorities has dramatically increased during the last twenty years, especially as a result of the Civil Rights Movement.

There is some concern, however, about the number of citizens who could vote in national elections but do not. In the national elections of 1984, for instance, only 57.4 per cent of all those who could have voted actually did. In 1992 it was 61.3. But then, Americans who want to vote must register, that is to put down their names in register before the actual elections take place. There are 50 different registration laws in the US- one set for each state. In the South, voters often have to register not only locally but also at the county seat. In European countries, on the other hand, “permanent registration” of voters is most common. Of those voters in the United States who did register in the 1988 Presidential elections, 86 per cent cast their ballots, in 1992- 89.8 per cent.

The National Presidential elections consist of two separate campaigns. One is for the nomination of candidates at national party convention; the other is to win the actual election. The first stage is called “primaries”. The party convention votes to select the party’s official candidate for the presidency. Then Presidential campaigns by the candidates start.

In November of the election year (years divisible by four, e.g. 1988, 1992, 1996, etc.), the voters across the nation go to the polls. If the majority of the popular votes in a state go to the Presidential (and vice-presidential) candidate of one party, then that person is supposed to get all of that state “electoral votes”. These electoral votes are equal to the number of Senators and Representatives each state has in the Congress. The candidate with the largest number of these electoral votes wins the election. Each state’s electoral votes are formally reported by the “Electoral College”. In January of the following year, in a joint session of Congress, the new President and Vice-President are officially announced.

Vocabulary:

a county- избирательный округ

party convention – партийный съезд

“Electoral College”- коллегия выборщиков

nomination- выдвижение кандидата

to cast a ballot- проголосовать

 

2. Find the English equivalents for:

- зарегистрироваться для голосования;

- президентские выборы;

- избирательный бюллетень;

- избирательная кампания.

 

3. Look through all the numbers in the sentences and say if they are true or false. Give your variant if necessary:

1. American citizens under 18 may vote.

2. In 1988, at the Presidential elections, only 86 per cent of the registered voters took part in the elections.

3. There are 40 registration laws in the USA which are obligatory for the country.

4. In 1990 only 50 per cent cast their ballots.

4. Place the sentences in a right order. Try to retell the text:

1. Americans who want to vote must put down their names in a register before the election.

2. Each state can determine its own registration procedure.

3. Any American citizen, over 18 years of age has the rights to vote.

4. There is always a number of citizens who can vote but don’t.

5. There is a different registration law for each state.

 

5. Speak on:

1. The elections in your country.