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