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How does America's Democracy Work?
Most Americans are well aware of the United States presidential elections that occur every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. But these are far from the only elections that take place in the American political system. Like most democracies, Americans are afforded the opportunity to vote for a wide array of offices at various points throughout the year.
-- DAVID AXELROD AND KARL ROVE
Midterm (Congressional) Elections
Congressional elections happen every two years. Voters choose one-third of senators and every member of the House of Representatives.
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Midterm elections take place halfway between presidential elections. The congressional elections in November 2022 will be "midterms."
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms. All 435 members get elected every midterm and presidential election year.
A representative must be at least 25, a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and live in the state he or she represents. The number of representatives a state has depends on its population. Each representative serves a specific congressional district.
SENATE
Senators serve six-year terms. One-third of senators get elected during each midterm and each presidential election year.
A senator must be at least 30, a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and live in the state he or she represents. There are 100 U.S. senators, two from each state
Local Elections - Bergen County
Local elections have many categories to them. Some of the most relevant to high schoolers would be mayoral, councilmen, and board of education elections.
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Mayoral elections may differ from town to town. But for the Northern Valley Regional High School System, elections for each Board of Education chair typically run every November 8th.
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Local elections are perfect ways to engage with voting towards policies that directly affect you, especially in small-town oriented counties such as Bergen County.
Councilmen Elections
In accordance with NJ's Town Form Law, the council consists of 8 members who serve 2-year terms. Two council members are elected from each of four wards and they all serve staggered two-year terms (similar to the BoE members). Because of this staggering, every year one seat from each ward is up for election.
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The council can appoint, any subordinate officer with the exceptions of the municipal clerk, tax assessor, and tax collector, which are appointed by the mayor and council.
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As of 2006, nine New Jersey municipalities operate under the Town form.
Northern Valley Board of Education Elections
The Board of Education's main functions fall into 4 categories. The list being 1) policy oversight 2) educational planning 3)provision of financial resources 4)interpretation.
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Members of this Board serve 3 overlapping terms. In other words, board members have staggered terms, with not all elections happening at once, but rather at different times.
Mayor Elections
The mayor is elected by the majority vote and is commonly known as the "main councilman." With a 2- year term, the mayor has all executive responsibilities. All other responsibilities are those of the town council.
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Between the Council and Mayor a shared responsibility of power is balanced. The mayor chairs the town council and may vote on legislation and veto ordinances. While, the council has oversight powers.
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Voters may also, through petition and referendum, change the 2-year term to three years.
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