Alternate Plans Direct Election Only way that president will be popularly elected (no minority presidents) Proportional Closest to popular vote while still keeping the electoral college District Plan Used by Nebraska and Maine National Popular Vote One of the more popular options. No constitutional change, but need enough states to sign on Campaign Finance Todays Agenda Objective: Students will be able to explain campaign finance, including its limits and loopholes, and how it affects elections. Essential Skill: Explicitly assess information and draw conclusions. Types of Campaign Contributions To the Candidate/Campaign (Hard)-Limited Individuals Candidates PACs Parties To the Party (Soft)-Unlimited 527 Super PAC 501c Campaigns 1974 Federal Election Campaign Act Public financing of presidential elections Limits on spending if accept public finance Created Federal Election Commission Federal Election Commission Required candidates and donors to report donations to the FEC, with caps now on donations Campaigns Loopholes within the FECA No limits on donations to party (soft money) No limits on party spending for get out the vote drives (soft money) No limits on number of political action committees bundling Campaigns 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)BCRA Closed soft money loophole Raised the limits on PAC contributions and other donations Bans group sponsored ads 30 days prior to a primary and 60 days prior to general election Campaigns Loopholes PACs could raise unlimited amounts of money 527 Organizations -- nonprofit issue advocacy groups Campaigns With the Supreme Court Case Citizens United vs. FEC Limiting spending on politics by corporations is a form of limiting free speech Lifted some of the regulations on spending and disclosure Led to the creation of SuperPACs Very controversial and divisive Unlimited Candidates Unless they accept public funds 501(c)s Campaigns In 2008 House elections, in only 2% of the races did the candidate with lower campaign contributions win In 2008 Senate races, in only 6% of the races did the candidate with lower campaign contributions win. Campaigns Better financed campaigns generally have a better chance of successsuccess They can hire better talent They can buy advertising to rebut or make chargesadvertising They can extend the campaign longer and respond to changes in the election atmosphere Review Game When your team is asked a question anyone who wants to answer can stand up If you answer correctly you get as many points as people who stood up If you answer incorrectly the other team can steal those points by answering correctly What age group makes up our most likely voters? Are males, or females more likely to vote? Name someone who cannot vote Describe an average Democratic voter How does name calling work as a propaganda device? What is one main argument for compulsory voting? What is a closed primary? What is a blanket primary? Who can participate in a caucus? Which is more popular, primaries or caucuses? Which of the two phases of the presidential election would you find a caucus? How does the presidential election process connect to federalism? How are electoral votes decided? What is a traditional PAC? What type of campaign contribution has no limits or disclosure requirements? When are the general elections? What are two main goals of the national party conventions? What is the point of the primary elections? What is one of the main criticisms of the electoral college? Which alternative election plan will guarantee that a minority president is not elected? Which plan is currently used by Maine and Nebraska? How many electoral votes are needed to win? What is the final step in the path to the presidency? Who officially elects the president? How did SuperPACs develop?