Download - What role do elections and campaigns have within American society? LESSON 6 Elections and Campaigns
What role do elections and campaigns have within American society?
LESSON 6Elections and Campaigns
How is the electoral process set by our written laws?
I. LAWS & THE ELECTORAL PROCESSA. Scheduling Elections
• Scheduled far in advance according to federal or state rules
• Held at scheduled times regardless of current events (ex: 9/11, WWII)
How is the electoral process set by our written laws?
B. Polling Places and Ballots• PRECINCTS: Basic
geographical units in which elections are conducted size restricted by state laws
• ELECTION BOARDS: Regulate specific polling places and voting process
• AUSTRALIAN BALLOT: Uniform secret ballot that lists all candidates and given to voters at polls
• More than half of American voters use mechanical voting process
How many different types of elections do we have?
II. TYPES OF ELECTIONSA. Primaries
1. DIRECT PRIMARIES: Elections where all party members may vote to choose candidate for general election
• CLOSED PRIMARY: Only registered party members may participate
• OPEN PRIMARY: Nominating election where any qualified voter may participate
How many different types of elections do we have?
2. BLANKET PRIMARY – All voters receive same ballot with candidates from all parties
3. RUNOFF PRIMARY – Required if no candidate wins majority (usually limited to top two candidates)
How many different types of elections do we have?
B. Caucuses1. CAUCUS:
Meeting of party leaders to select candidates
Less democratic
Used less frequently
More important during presidential elections greater historical significance (Iowa)
Hand count during Iowa Caucus (2004)
How many different types of elections do we have?
C. General election
1. When party nominees face each other
2. Frequency of general elections varies based on level of government
FREQUENCY OF GENERAL ELECTIONSFEDERAL LEVEL: Always first Tuesday after first Monday in November (Election Day – Nov. 6)
STATE LEVEL (NY): Follows federal structure; primaries in September
COUNTY LEVEL (Nassau): Follows federal structure; primaries in September
What decisions are made in selecting our President?
III. PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS
A. MAKING THE DECISION TO RUN: Candidates assess the price and the odds for winning
• Make a public announcement
• Make a strategy
What decisions are made in selecting our President?
B. WINNING DELEGATES: The goal is to win support from many delegates at nominating convention
1. FIRST STEP: Strong showing in early primaries (NH, Iowa)
2. SECOND STEP: Use momentum for publicity, support and money
What decisions are made in selecting our President?
C. THE CONVENTION
• A “pep rally” for candidate surviving primary season kickoff of final campaign
• Settlement of party platform
• DARK HORSE CANDIDATE: One who receives unexpected support to challenge frontrunner
What decisions are made in selecting our President?
D. GENERAL ELECTION STAGE
1. Focus of campaign shifts to appealing to all voters
2. Increase in campaign staff for final push
MEDIA & ADVERTISING
POLLING
SPEECHWRITING
FUNDRAISING
What decisions are made in selecting our President?
3. TELEVISED DEBATES: Give public opportunity to hear different viewpoints
24 MONTHS BEFORE ELECTION
12 MONTHS BEFORE ELECTION
THE DECISION TO RUN• Gather support and
money
• Test the waters
• Announce candidacy
PRIMARIES & CAUCUSESRun from February to June
CONVENTIONSJust before Labor Day
PARTY CONVENTIONSFormal selection of nominees
ELECTIONNovember
GENERAL ELECTION STAGE• General campaign
• Population votes
WINNING DELEGATESElimination of all candidates except one
TIMELINERunning for the Presidency
How can a presidential election affect other national races?
IV. CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS
• Less expensive
• Less competitive
• President’s popularity may affect both House and Senate races coattail effect
Peter King (R)Representative 2nd CD
Where do they find the money to pay for these elections?
V. CAMPAIGN FINANCING
A. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION (FEC): Requires candidates and parties to make public records of contributions and spending
B. Cost of campaigns has increased dramatically most money spent on media (TV, radio)
C. WAR CHEST ADVANTAGE: Incumbents scare away competition with large campaign funds
CAMPAIGN SPENDING - 2012Barack Obama (D) $683,546,548 / 65,899,660 = $10.37 per voteMitt Romney (R) $433,281,516 / 60,932,152 = $7.11Gary Johnson (L) $2,507,763 / 1,275,827 = $1.97
Where do they find the money to pay for these elections?
D. SOURCES OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS
1. PRIVATE SOURCES
a. Candidate’s personal wealth
b. Individual contributions
Regulated by federal and state governments
Mostly modest amounts ($100-$200)
c. Corporate dollars
d. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES (PACs): Political arm of special interest group that contribute to campaigns buying influence?
Where do they find the money to pay for these elections?
2. PUBLIC SOURCE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
a. MATCHING FUNDS: Government will match contributions of individual donors
b. No more than $250 each
c. Limits spending to what each candidate is given
Where do they find the money to pay for these elections?
E. Loopholes and concerns over campaign finance
1. Abuse of campaign finance laws consistently debated
2. Three major concerns of public
• SOFT MONEY: Money not regulated by federal law that is used for general expenses not spent on specific candidates, but spent on promoting issues
• FUNDRAISING TACTICS: Should elected officials use government offices to solicit funds? (ex: Clinton/Gore, 1996)
• SKYROCKETING COSTS: Presidential campaigns can be more expensive than corporate advertising budgets