Many kids join their parents when they vote.

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Election Time

November 5, 2018

This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in the November 5, 2018, issue of Scholastic News Edition 3.

Election Day is almost here! In November, millions of Americans will vote. But will they choose leaders for their cities, states, or nation? If you said “all of the above,” you’re right! People will elect leaders at three levels of government: local, state, and national.

“Voting for these leaders is part of being a citizen,” says government expert Elizabeth Matto. “They make decisions that affect all of us.”

Here’s a look at some of the leaders at each level.

Election Day is almost here! In November, Americans will vote. But will they choose leaders for their cities, states, or nation? The answer is “all of the above!” People will pick leaders at three levels of government: local, state, and national.

“Voting for these leaders is part of being a citizen,” says government expert Elizabeth Matto. “They make decisions that affect all of us.”

Here is a look at some of the leaders at each level.

Local Leaders

Local leaders are the people in charge of cities and towns. An important job at this level is usually a mayor. A mayor often works with a group called a city council to make decisions about community issues. For example, they might decide which kinds of businesses can open in a neighborhood. On Election Day, voters in many cities and towns will choose mayors and other local leaders.

Local leaders are the people in charge of cities and towns. An important job at this level is usually a mayor. A mayor often works with a group called a city council. They make decisions about community issues. For example, they might decide which businesses can open in a neighborhood. On Election Day, voters in many cities and towns will choose local leaders.

State Leaders

Other leaders work at the state level. They make decisions that affect people in a state, like how long the school year is.

One top leader of a state is its governor. Governors work with state lawmakers. Lawmakers write ideas for new state laws, and the governor says yes or no to the ideas. On Election Day, many states are picking governors. Most states are electing state lawmakers.

Other leaders work at the state level. They make decisions that affect people in a state. An example is deciding how long the school year is.

One top leader of a state is its governor. Governors work with state lawmakers. Lawmakers write ideas for new state laws. Then the governor says yes or no to the ideas. On Election Day, many states are picking governors. Most states are electing state lawmakers.

National Leaders

Leaders who help run our nation are part of the federal government. The president is a powerful leader at this level.

Voters choose a president every four years. In other years, they may be choosing other important federal leaders. They are often electing members of the U.S. Congress. Those leaders write and approve ideas for national laws. The president decides whether to sign the ideas into law. One federal law says that cars must have seat belts.

People in each state elect federal lawmakers. There are 535 of them in Congress.

Leaders who help run our nation are part of the federal government. The president is one leader at this level.

Voters choose a president every four years. In other years, they may be choosing other important federal leaders. They are often electing members of the U.S. Congress. Those leaders write ideas for national laws. The president decides whether to sign the ideas into law. One national law says that cars must have seat belts.

People in each state elect federal lawmakers. There are 535 of them in Congress.

Voting Counts

Government leaders have big jobs to do. But voters do too. It’s their responsibility to learn about the people running for office and decide who will make the best leaders.

Almost all citizens who are 18 years old or older can vote in national elections. But not everyone uses this important right. On average, fewer than 6 out of every 10 people who can vote in those elections actually do. How could you encourage grown-ups to vote?

Voting Counts

Government leaders have big jobs to do. But voters do too. It’s their responsibility to learn about the people running for office and decide who will make the best leaders.