American National

Government

POL 140-10 Spring 2015

Campaigns and Elections

The Constitution and American

Elections

What were the Framers’ intentions regarding presidential elections?

States had discretion over presidential selection

Office designed with Washington in mind; No real details included

Office above partisan politics; Leaders acting in national interest

The Electoral College

How do we calculate a state’s number of electoral votes?

Determined by their congressional

representation (number of Representatives

and Senators)

Kentucky has 8 electoral votes, because we have 6

house representatives and 2 senators)

There are 538 total votes

in the Electoral College.

A presidential candidate needs 270 to win the

election.

What Happened in 2000?

Congressional Elections

Basics of Congressional Elections

The House Allotted based on proportional representation Entire House up for election every two years

The Senate Each state has two senators, regardless of

size Seventeenth Amendment provided for direct

election of the Senate Terms are staggered

Gerrymandering

Presidential Campaigns

Making the Initial Decision

The Party Caucus

The Party Convention

Campaign Issues

Fundraising and Money

“Hard Money”: Money given directly to candidates; amounts limited by election laws

“Soft Money”: Unregulated dollars given by parties or individuals for “electioneering activities,” that do not directly support candidates.

Fundraising by Presidential Candidates, 1976-2008

Swing States

Swing states are colored on the U.S. map and table. They can “flip,” changing support for Republican or Democratic nominees depending on the election.

They are valuable by candidates and their campaigns.

Microtargeting

Microtargeting refers to when a campaign tailors specifics ads to certain demographic groups (e.g. women, the elderly, young people) in an attempt to get them to vote for their candidate.

Campaign Issues

Valence Issue: Issues that most voters agree on (e.g. honesty in govt., a strong economy)

Position Issue: Issues on which most voters differ in their perspectives (e.g. health care)

Wedge Issue: Controversial issue candidates use to drive “wedge” between other party Example: Republican trying get Democrats who

may be anti-abortion to vote for him instead of Obama

Negativity

What factors helps us predict vote share in elections?

The Economy What is the condition of the economy?

Presidential Popularity How popular is the sitting president?

Incumbent Party’s Time in Office How long has the incumbent party

controlled the White House?

Congressional Campaigns

Making the Initial Decision

Fundraising and Money

Reelection Rates of Incumbents in Congress, 1996-2008

How do you combat voters’ lack of interest in politics?

PARTY ID

How do you combat voters’ lack of interest in politics?

PRESIDENTIAL COATTAILS

Ability of major party candidates to attract voters and support to other candidates

of their party in different races

(e.g. congressional candidates)