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Test Your Election Knowledge!
You’re about to read “I’m 18, and I Ran for Office.” In it, you’ll meet a teen named Sam Cao. He tried to get elected as a state representative in Ohio. Sam didn’t win, but he hopes to inspire you to learn more about voting, elections, and our government.
How much do you already know? Take the quiz to find out.
vesperstock/Shutterstock
When is the next general election in the United States?
A. November 2022
B. April 2023
C. June 2023
D. November 2024
A. A general election is a regularly held election in which voters choose people for local, state, and national positions. (It’s different from a primary election. In a primary, voters elect people to represent their political party in the general election.) In the U.S., general elections are always held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. This year, that’s November 8.
Who will voters elect in the next general election?
A. U.S. senators
B. U.S. representatives
C. local and state officials
D. all of the above
D. This year’s general election is called a midterm election. That’s an election that takes place halfway through a president’s term. Depending on where a voter lives, they may be electing a U.S. senator, as well as local and state officials. All voters will be electing U.S. representatives. (Sites like Ballotpedia make it easy to find out what’s on the ballot in your town and state. Do some research to find out!)
How old does a person need to be to vote in the U.S.?
A. 16
B. 18
C. 21
D. 35
B. The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, or made official, in 1971. It sets the voting ageat 18. (Before then, most Americans had to be 21 to vote.) Still, some people think the voting age should be lower. Read this Action debate to learn more!
True or False: If you’re not old enough to vote, you can’t get involved in an election.
A. True
B. False
B. You might not be able to vote yet, but you can still get involved. One of the most important things you can do is make sure others make their voices heard on November 8. Encourage your parents, grandparents, and other family members to vote by asking them about their plans. Will they vote? Where will they vote? Have they marked the day on their calendars? If they have a plan, they’re much more likely to make it to the polls!
What is a political party?
A. a group of people with similar ideas about how to run our government
B. a place where people go to vote
C. a celebration after Election Day
D. none of the above
A. Sorry—these parties have nothing to do with balloons and cake! There are two main political parties in the U.S.: the Democratic party and the Republican party. Parties support their members as candidates for local, state, and national government offices. They help voters learn these candidates’ ideas about policies and leadership.