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by Stefanie Reeves and Linda Lucas
On Tuesday, Nov. 2, voters will decide who will hold all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 34 seats in the Senate, and who will occupy the Oval Office.
Super Tuesday-March 2-is a critical date on the campaign calendar when a large number of states hold their primary elections. The phrase "Super Tuesday" first entered our political vocabulary on March 9, 1988, when a regional group of primaries were held on the same day. The hope was that by holding their elections on the same day, Southern states would increase their influence in selecting presidential candidates and downplay the importance of the earlier New Hampshire primaries and Iowa caucuses. Now, many states-not just Southern states-hold primaries or caucuses on the first Tuesday in March.
On March 2, voters in primaries in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont and caucuses in Minnesota and North Dakota will cast their votes for a Democratic candidate for president. Although the candidates will try to win primaries in many of those states, California, New York, and Ohio are probably the most important races, since those states have the largest populations, and therefore, the greatest influence on Super Tuesday.
Following Super Tuesday is "Southern Tuesday," which will be held on March 9, when Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi will hold primary elections. The Democratic nominee for president will not officially be decided until the Democratic National Convention.
Tradition dictates that the challenging political party holds its national convention before the party that holds the White House. The Democratic nominee will be announced officially at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, which begins July 26. The Republican National Convention begins Aug. 30 in New York City.
Let Your Voice be Heard-Vote!
Voting is one of our most basic civil rights and the cornerstone of a democratic government. However, millions of eligible voters don't take the time to learn about the candidates or cast ballots for those they feel will represent them the best.
On Tuesday, Nov. 2, voters will decide who will hold all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 34 seats in the Senate, and who will occupy the Oval Office. ASHA is gearing up for the upcoming congressional and presidential elections with our online "Get Out the Vote" (GOTV) campaign. Visit our Web site for a dedicated GOTV page. Our message to you is: Let Your Voice be Heard-Vote!
ASHA's GOTV page provides you all of the information you'll need to participate in the democratic process. Won't be able to get to the polls? Find out how to obtain an absentee ballot. Haven't registered to vote? Get registration deadlines for your state. Don't know when your state is having its primary? Look for our list of primary dates. There are even links to candidates' Web sites so that you can see where they stand on issues of importance to you, your family, and those you serve. See how the upcoming elections will affect your daily personal and professional life. Find out when candidates are having local meetings and join in. There are any number of things you can do to become engaged in this important political process, and most of them don't cost any money and take very little time.
Please visit our GOTV Web site. If you don't see what you need, let us know. If you have questions, please contact us. Comments may be sent to gotv@asha.org. But no matter what you do, exercise your fundamental civil right and vote.
For more information on this topic or other advocacy issues, contact Linda Lucas by phone through the Action Center at 800-498-2071, ext. 4427, or by e-mail at llucas@asha.org, or Stefanie Reeves at ext. 4452 or sreeves@asha.org.
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