The Functional Effect of a Citizen's Vote

What a citizen is *functionally doing* when they cast a vote.

I. The General Citizen: How Your Vote Functions

When a citizen casts a vote, they are delegating their power to a representative. This act has two functions: a **Direct Function** (choosing the person) and an **Indirect Function** (granting that person power over policy, taxes, and appointments).

👤 THE CITIZEN

Holds initial political power and casts a vote to delegate it.

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A. Direct Local & County Control

WHEN YOU VOTE FOR: Mayor, City Council, County Commission, Sheriff, or District Attorney

â–¶ DIRECT Function:

You choose the specific *person* who will hold that local office.

â–¶ INDIRECT Function:

You delegate your power for them to set local policies, create local budgets, establish property tax rates, and appoint local officials (like the police chief).

B. Direct State Control

WHEN YOU VOTE FOR: Governor or State Legislature

â–¶ DIRECT Function:

You choose the state's Chief Executive or your district's legislator.

â–¶ INDIRECT Function:

You delegate your power for them to write all state laws, pass the state budget, set state taxes (income, sales), and appoint state agency heads.

C. Direct Federal (Legislative) Control

WHEN YOU VOTE FOR: U.S. House of Representatives or U.S. Senate

â–¶ DIRECT Function:

You choose **one of 435** House members or **two of 100** Senators to represent you.

â–¶ INDIRECT Function:

You delegate your power for them to vote on all federal laws, the federal budget, and all federal tax policies. Your vote for Senator *also* delegates your power to **confirm or deny** all presidential appointments (Judges & Cabinet).

Your Vote Selects Representatives in Chambers of This Size:

The chart shows total seats. Your vote picks just 1 member in the House and 2 in the Senate.

D. Indirect Federal (Executive) Control - The Special Case

WHEN YOU VOTE FOR: President of the United States

â–¶ DIRECT Function:

You choose a **"Slate of Electors"** for your state, who are pledged to a candidate. You do *not* vote directly for the President.

â–¶ INDIRECT Function (A Chain Reaction):

1. Your vote chooses Electors.
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2. The Electors meet and cast the formal votes that elect the President.
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3. The President (chosen by Electors) appoints Cabinet Secretaries and Federal Judges.
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4. The U.S. Senate (chosen by your *direct* vote) confirms or denies those appointments.

II. How It Works in Practice: Two Examples

The general function is the same for everyone, but the specific offices and districts change depending on where you live.

Example 1 (Metropolitan):
A Voter in Houston, Texas

A voter in a large city like Houston delegates power to officials at all four levels of government, from the mayor to federal representatives.

  • LOCAL VOTE CHOOSES: Mayor of Houston, Houston City Controller, Houston City Council (District & At-Large)
  • COUNTY VOTE CHOOSES: Harris County Judge, Harris County Commissioners, Sheriff, District Attorney, County Clerk
  • STATE VOTE CHOOSES: Governor of Texas, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Texas State Senator, Texas State Representative
  • FEDERAL VOTE CHOOSES: U.S. Representative (e.g., TX-18), U.S. Senators (for Texas), and Presidential Electors (for Texas).

Example 2 (Small Town):
A Voter in Montpelier, Vermont

A voter in a small town like Montpelier does the exact same *function*, just for different offices. Note that Vermont has only one (At-Large) U.S. Representative for the entire state.

  • LOCAL VOTE CHOOSES: Mayor of Montpelier, Montpelier City Council, School Board Director
  • COUNTY VOTE CHOOSES: Washington County Sheriff, State's Attorney, High Bailiff (County gov. is limited in VT)
  • STATE VOTE CHOOSES: Governor of Vermont, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Vermont State Senator, Vermont State Representative
  • FEDERAL VOTE CHOOSES: U.S. Representative (VT-At Large), U.S. Senators (for Vermont), and Presidential Electors (for Vermont).