Pursuit of Power Politics in America SOL: Govt.6a-g.

Pursuit of Power Politics in America SOL: Govt.6a-g

Political Socialization
Process by which an individual acquires their values, opinions, and beliefs Informal learning through socializing agents are the most important and accidental Ideology-a persons values, opinions, and beliefs

Political Socialization
Agents of Political Socialization 1. Family 2. Church 3. Community 4. Media 5. Teachers 6. Peer Group 7. Other

The Political Spectrum
Ideology- a body of ideas or views of the world that reflect the social needs, values, and ides of an individual or group Liberal-look to the future for change Conservative-feel that governments role in society should be to protect the moral codes of the past Complete political spectrum questionnaire

Political Spectrum

IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM Liberal Left Wing, Radical Conservative
Liberal Left Wing, Radical Conservative Right Wing, Traditional Favor government involvement, limiting certain activities. 1. Favor higher taxes, particularly progressive 2. Programs assisting the poor such as Head Start and Medicaid 3. Redistribution of income. 4. Anti-trust legislation. 5. Sympathize with labor in labor-management issues. Oppose Government involvement limiting certain activities 1. Favor lower taxes, particularly regressive. 2. Fewer programs with the goal of redistributing income 3. Oppose government regulation of market 4. Sympathize with business in labor-management issues.

Liberal Viewpoints Group Responsibility: The government has a responsibility to help those who are disadvantaged or down on their luck. The government should work to equalize opportunities for everyone and also provide support for those who are unable to support themselves. Personal Freedom: The personal freedoms of people must be protected. When rules/laws/norms infringe upon freedoms, they must be changed.

Liberal Viewpoints Non-Traditional Values: Many traditional values represent old-fashioned ideas that are unfair to women and minorities. These traditional values tend to concentrate and consecrate power held by wealthy white men. Activist government: The government has a responsibility to regulate business to protect workers, the environment, and the public from abuse.

Liberal Viewpoints Use of Property for Public Good: The government has the right to tell people how to use their personal property in order to maximize the public good. These beliefs manifest themselves more strongly as we move farther left in the spectrum. Recently in the United States, liberals have supported laws that would raise some taxes to pay for specific programs, maintain current tax levels, or redistribute the tax burden from lower and middle class citizens to upper class and business tax payers; provide drug treatment and rehabilitation programs for criminals and at-risk youth; prevent landowners from harming endangered species or sensitive habitats on their own land; protect women's ability to have abortions and provide federal funding for women seeking abortions who cannot afford them; extend federal civil rights protections to gays; regulate how businesses treat their employees, and how they dispose of hazardous waste; reinforce our countries tradition of separation of church and state. Socialist governments like those found in Scandinavian countries have large activist governments; citizens pay large taxes and in turn the government provides many of the services that private industry provides for a fee in the U.S. There are few communist governments left in the world, but they are usually marked by communal and government ownership of nearly all property. In practice, many communist governments look a lot like fascist governments.

Conservative Viewpoints
Personal Responsibility: People have a responsibility to follow the rules/laws/norms set by society. Stern punishments should be given to those who break the rules/laws/norms. Traditional Values: People should strive to live by the traditional moral codes that our grandparents followed. There are many dangerous moral trends in society today that we need to reverse. Religion should play a larger part of peoples lives and the government should reflect religious values.

Laisez Faire and Decentralized Government: The federal government should not regulate business practices, but instead should let free market forces keep order in the business world. The federal government should be as small as possible, and most power should be vested in the state and local government Maximum Benefit: If every individual maximizes their own benefit, everyone will be better off

Property Rights: The government should pass and enforce laws that protect personal property. These beliefs manifest themselves more strongly as we move farther right in the spectrum. Recently in the United States, conservatives have supported laws that would: cut taxes (especially taxes that mostly effect businesses and individuals with higher incomes); build more prisons and provide harsher penalties for convicted criminals; remove restrictions on how landowners can use their own property; make it more difficult or illegal for women to have abortions; prevent states from recognizing gay marriages; reduce federal legislation of business; permit prayer in schools. On the extreme right of the spectrum, we usually associate fascist politicians with foreign dictatorships. Fascist states usually direct extreme force toward their citizens in order to enforce rules, laws, and norms.

Political Parties Political Parties have National, State, and Local organizations The primary objective for the two major parties is to organize to win elections Each party has core set of principles, look to appeal to a majority of voters without compromising those beliefs SOL: GOVT.6a

Political Parties Two party system in America Democratic Party
Republican Party

Roles of Political Parties
Select Candidates Raise Funds Conduct Campaigns Identify important issues Educate the Public Monitor the party in power Strategy: Have students create graphic organizers regarding the roles of political parties Classwork: Have students complete educating the public assignment

Party Systems One party systems-one party has control of the government and doesn’t allow other parties to join. Allow elections but they are not competitive because only that parties candidates are on the ballot Soviet Union and Cuba are examples of one party systems

Party Systems Two party systems-exist in only a handful of countries in the world. In U.S., other parties exist but are not believed to have any chance at winning elections. United States and Great Britain are examples of two party systems.

Party Systems Multi-party systems-more common in the world today.
Legislative branch is most important. Little or no separation exists between Legislative and Executive branches. Multi-party systems use proportional representation (10% of vote=10% representation) Encourages parties to form coalitions

Third Parties Also called minor parties
Can have major influence on elections Votes taken away from one party may help the other win Third parties often force important issues onto the national agenda

Types of third parties Economic protest parties Splinter parties
Party dominated by feelings of economic discontent Splinter parties Splints from one of the major party because of serious diagreement Ideological parties Party based on particular set of beliefs or ideology Single-issue parties Party focused on one issue

Types of Third Parties

Third Parties The Reform Party and The Libertarian Party are the two major third parties in America.

The Effect of Third Parties on Vote Distribution
Acetate PP–6

Minor parties play several important roles:
“Spoiler Role” Minor party candidates can pull decisive votes away from one of the major parties’ candidates, especially if the minor party candidate is from a splinter party. Critic Minor parties, especially single-issue parties, often take stands on and draw attention to controversial issues that the major parties would prefer to ignore. Innovator Often, minor parties will draw attention to important issues and propose innovative solutions to problems. If these proposals gain popular support, they are often integrated into the platforms of the two major parties.

Both of the major parties are highly decentralized and fragmented.
The Decentralized Nature of the Parties Both of the major parties are highly decentralized and fragmented. Why? The party out of power lacks a strong leader. The federal system distributes powers candidate. The federal system distributes powers widely, in turn causing the parties to be decentralized. The nominating process pits party members against one another because only one person can chosen to be the party’s presidential

A Theoretical Structure of the American Political Party
Acetate PP–1

State and Local Party Machinery
State and local party organization varies from State to State, but usually follow the general principles below.

The Three Components of the Party
Party Components The Party Organization: Those who run and control the party machinery. The Party in the Electorate Those who always or almost always vote for party candidates. The Party in Government Those who hold office in the government.

The Three Components of Political Parties
Acetate PP–2

The Future of Major Parties
Weakened connections to political parties: For voters : More people are unwilling to label themselves as “Democrats” or “Republicans” Split-ticket voting—voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election For candidates: Structural changes have increased conflict and disorganization within parties Changes in the technology of campaigning, especially the use of television and the Internet, have made candidates more independent of the party organization The growth of single-issue organizations provides candidates with another source of financial support

Declining Partisan Loyalties
Acetate PP–7

Parties Aim Their Campaigns to the Middle
Acetate PP–10

Demographic Factors and Party Preferences
Acetate PP–9

The Political Process Candidates may run for office by being nominated in one of the following methods Caucus Nominating Conventions Petitions Direct Primary SOL: Govt.6b

The Political Process National Nominating Conventions are used by both parties to select their Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates State and Local parties choose the method of selecting all other candidates SOL: GOVT.6b

Campaign Contributions
The Federal Election Campaign Act sets limits on campaign funding for federal elections The public can contribute to Individual Candidates Political Parties Political Action Committees SOL: GOVT.6c

Political Action Committees
PAC’s are spin offs of Interest Groups and professional organizations whose goal is to influence elections They have increased from about 600 in the mid ’70’s to 4,000 today. They give money to their favorite candidates It totals over 200 million dollars in an election cycle SOL: Govt.6c Complete Packet

Political Action Committees
Allows groups access to important decision makers in our government Most contributions go to incumbents rather than challengers It does not favor one political party over another instead the party in power

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

Campaign Spending 1 2 Chapter 7, Section 3

Private and Public Sources of Campaign Money
Sources of Funding Private and Public Sources of Campaign Money Nonparty groups such as PACs Small contributors Temporary fund-raising organizations Wealthy supporters Candidates Government subsidies 1 2 Chapter 7, Section 3

Regulating Campaign Financing
Early campaign regulations were created in 1907, but feebly enforced. The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971 was passed to replaced the former, ineffective legislation. The FECA Amendments of 1974 were passed in response to the Watergate scandal. Buckley v. Valeo invalidated some of the measures in the FECA Amendments of Most significantly, it also stipulated that several of the limits that the 1974 amendments placed on spending only apply to candidates who accept campaign money from the government, not those who raise money independently. The FECA Amendments of 1976 were passed in response to Buckley v. Valeo. Chapter 7, Section 3

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforces:
the timely disclosure of campaign finance information limits on campaign contributions limits on campaign expenditures provisions for public funding of presidential campaigns Chapter 7, Section 3

Loopholes in the Law “More loophole than law…” —Lyndon Johnson
Soft money—money given to State and local party organizations for “party-building activities” that is filtered to presidential or congressional campaigns. $500 million was given to campaigns in this way in 2000. Independent campaign spending—a person unrelated and unconnected to a candidate or party can spend as much money as they want to benefit or work against candidates. Issue ads—take a stand on certain issues in order to criticize or support a certain candidate without actually mentioning that person’s name. Chapter 7, Section 3

Public Opinion Public Opinion is measured in a variety of ways
Public Opinion Polls Voting Buying Joining Interest Groups H.W.-Analyze a public opinion poll in a newspaper or on the internet

Public Opinion Polls Polling has become a valuable tool in Politics
It measures how the public feels on issues and candidates Politicians use the information to plan strategy and policy

Public Opinion Polls Polling must be precise in order for the data to be reliable Sample must be random and large enough to represent entire population Polling method must be consistent throughout poll Poll must be current and dates the poll was given should be published Questions should be without bias Sponsor of the poll must be known in order to check bias

Analyzing Polls Who was polled? How many people were polled?
How was the polling conducted? What questions were asked? When was the poll conducted? Who sponsored the poll?

Polling Bias Types A. Testimonial - Implied endorsements from celebrities. Example Question: Did you know that Pat Robertson does not believe John McCain will make a good president? Do you plan to vote for George Bush or John McCain in the Republican primary? B. Mudslinging – Name-calling or groundless assertions about another candidate. Example Question: Do you favor the economic policies of the Democrats, which will preserve Social Security, or the policies of the Republicans, which will destroy our Social Security system and leave many of our elderly citizens homeless?

Polling Bias Types C. Transfer – Use of popular symbols or causes to create a positive connotation for a candidate or the use of negative or controversial symbols and causes to create a negative connotation of the competition’s candidate. Example Question: Knowing that Texas has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the US, who do you think will be the best candidate for president in 2000, Al Gore or George Bush?

Polling Bias Types D. Card stacking – Use of statistics in a one-sided manner; the omission of information that is crucial to drawing an informed conclusion. Example: Democratic television ads showing former teachers and college administrators listing republican George Allen’s failings concerning education. What the ads do not show is the reasoning behind why he didn’t support certain bills, and that many of the former teachers and college administrators are disgruntled democrats who lost their appointed jobs under Allen’s republican administration.

Polling Bias Types E. Glittering Generalities – Use of very vague words or phrases that may have a positive effect on the viewer and appeal to a variety of interests. Example Question: Do you believe that we need a Washington insider or a fresh new face from outside Washington to lead our country through the next four years? F. Contrast question or Sandwich question – Juxtaposing positive images of one’s candidate with negative images of the competition’s candidate. Example Question: Al Gore trusts the people of the United States, not big corporations. Do you believe Bush, who calls himself a “Compassionate Conservative” or Gore, who is fighting for the people not the powerful, will make a better president for most Americans?

Political Advertising
Advertising has become the costliest expense of modern day campaigns Media outlets are required to provide equal time all candidates if it gives time to one candidate (equal time doctrine) Easy method for candidates to get their message across in a short amount of time H.W. – Analyze a political advertisement from the 2001 Virginia Gubernatorial Race

Political Advertising
Important to sort through all forms of political advertising to check for accuracy All major propaganda methods are used to get message across to the people

Four Journalistic Periods in America
a. Party Press: Early years of republic - Papers subsidized by political parties; addressed small elite; ruthlessly partisan Popular Press: changes in society and technology, like high speed rotary press, made possible rise of a self-supporting, mass-readership daily paper; publishers could become powerful political forces, sometimes associated with yellow journalism

Four Journalistic Periods in America
c. Magazines of opinion: Reaction of middle class to yellow journalism led to less sensationalism and more nonpolitical coverage d.Electronic Journalism: Radio & TV allows for direct politician voter link; get “sound bite”, selective viewing, and need for dramatic to get coverage

The Role of Mass Media A medium is a means of communication; it transmits some kind of information. Four major mass media are particularly important in American politics:

The Media and Politics Electoral Politics The Public Agenda
The media play a very large role in shaping the public agenda, the societal problems that political leaders and citizens agree need government attention. It is not correct that the media tell the people what to think; but it is clear that they tell the people what to think about. Electoral Politics Today, television allows candidates to appeal directly to the people, without the help of a party organization. Candidates regularly try to use media coverage to their advantage. Newscasts featuring candidates are usually short, sharply focused sound bites—snappy reports that can be aired in 30 to 45 seconds.

Access to media varies from country to country.
Media Statistics Access to media varies from country to country. Chapter 8, Section 3

Bad News About Presidential Candidates Increases
Acetate M–4

Media Influence on Politics
a. Gatekeeper: Influence what becomes an issue and for how long; example = crime, Vietnam Scorekeeper: Make or break politicians reputations; examples = Carter, Gary Hart, George McGovern Watchdog: examining political and personal lives; examples = Gary Hart, Bill Clinton, Gary Condit

Limits on Media Influence
Only a small part of the public actually takes in and understands much of what the media have to say about public affairs. Many media sources mostly skim the news, reporting only what their news editors judge to be the most important and/or most interesting stories of the day. In-depth coverage of public affairs is available to those who want it and will seek it out.

Regulations in Radio and T.V.
a. Equal time rule: If a station sells time to one candidate, it must be willing to sell equal time for opposing candidate Right to reply rule: If a person is attacked on a broadcast other than in a regular news program, that person has the right to reply over the same station. Political editorializing rule: If a broadcaster endorses a candidate, the opposing candidate has a right to reply

Reporter and Source Bias
a. Routine: public events regularly covered by reporters, comparatively little of bias Selected: Public events knowable to inquiring reporters but not usually reported, bias of reporter/editor may figure prominently in selection Insider: Events not usually public, revealed because someone inside reveals them, problem of the motive of the leaker

The Nature of Interest Groups
What role do interest groups have in influencing public policy? How can we compare and contrast political parties and interest groups? Why do people see interest groups as both good and bad for American politics? Chapter 9, Section 1

The Role of Interest Groups
Interest groups are private organizations whose members share certain views and work to shape public policy. Public policy includes all of the goals a government sets and the various courses of action it pursues as it attempts to realize these goals. Interest groups exist to shape public policy. Chapter 9, Section 1

Political Parties and Interest Groups
Political parties and interest groups differ in three striking respects: (1) in the making of nominations, (2) in their primary focus, and (3) in the scope of their interests. Nominations Political parties are responsible for the nominating process, while interest groups hope to influence those nominations. Primary Focus Political parties are interested in winning elections and controlling government, while interest groups are interested in influencing the policies created by government. Scope of Interest Political parties concern themselves with the whole range of public affairs, while interest groups tend to focus on issues that their members are concerned about. Chapter 9, Section 1

Valuable Functions of Interest Groups
Interest groups raise awareness of public affairs, or issues that concern the people at large. Interest groups represent people who share attitudes rather than those who share geography. Interest groups provide specialized information to government agencies and legislators. Interest groups are vehicles for political participation. Interest groups keep tabs on various public agencies and officials. Interest groups compete. Chapter 9, Section 1

Criticisms Some groups have an influence far out of proportion to their size or importance. It can be difficult to tell who or how many people are served by a group. Groups do not always represent the views of the people they claim to speak for. In rare cases, groups use tactics such as bribery, threats, and so on. Chapter 9, Section 1

Reasons for Interest Groups
Most interest groups have been founded on the basis of an economic interest, especially business, labor, agricultural, and professional interests. Some are grounded in geographic area. Some are based on a cause or idea, such as environmental protection. Some promote the welfare of certain groups of people, such as retired citizens. Some are run by religious organizations. Chapter 9, Section 2

Membership in Labor Unions
Chapter 9, Section 2

Public-Interest Groups
A public-interest group is an interest group that seeks to institute certain public policies that will benefit all or most of the people in the country, whether or not they belong to that organization.

Influencing Public Opinion
Interest groups reach out to the public for these reasons: 1. To supply information in support of the group’s interests 2. To build a positive image for the group 3. To promote a particular public policy Chapter 9, Section 3

Propaganda Propaganda is a technique of persuasion aimed at influencing individual or group behaviors. Its goal is to create a particular belief which may be true or false. Propaganda disregards information that does not support its conclusion. It is not objective. It presents only one side of an issue. Propaganda often relies on name-calling and inflammatory labels. Chapter 9, Section 3

Influencing Parties and Elections
Political Action Committees (PACs) raise and distribute money to candidates who will further their goals. Chapter 9, Section 3

Lobbying Lobbying is any activity by which a group pressures legislators and influences the legislative process. Lobbying carries beyond the legislature It is brought into government agencies, the executive branch, and even the courts. Nearly all important organized interest groups maintain lobbyists in Washington, D.C. Chapter 9, Section 3

Lobbyists at Work They make campaign contributions.
Lobbyists use several techniques: They send articles, reports, and other information to officeholders. They testify before legislative committees. They bring “grass-roots” pressures to bear through , letters, or phone calls from constituents. They rate candidates and publicize the ratings. They make campaign contributions. Chapter 9, Section 3

The Framers of the Constitution purposely left the power to set suffrage qualifications to each State. Suffrage means the right to vote. Franchise is another term with the same meaning. The electorate is all of the people entitled to vote in a given election. Initially, the right to vote in America was limited to white male property owners. Today, the size of the American electorate is greater than 200 million people. Nearly all citizens at least 18 years of age can qualify to vote.

5. The 26th Amendment (1971) lowered the voting age to 18.
1. During the early 1800s, religious, property, and tax payment qualifications were gradually eliminated. 2. The 15th Amendment (1870) was intended to end race-based voting requirements. 3. In 1920, the 19th Amendment prohibited the denial of the right to vote because of sex. 4. The 1960s: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 guaranteed the right to vote for minorities. The 23rd Amendment (1961) granted citizens of the District of Columbia the right to vote for presidential electors. The 24th Amendment (1964) eliminated the poll tax. 5. The 26th Amendment (1971) lowered the voting age to 18.

Voting Requirements Citizenship
Most States require United States citizenship in order to vote. Residence One must be a legal resident of a State to vote in elections. Most States require residency for minimum amounts of time in order to vote in the State. Age The 26th Amendment requires that no State set a minimum voting age above 18.

Other Qualifications All states except North Dakota require citizens to register to vote. Registration is a procedure of voter identification intended to prevent fraudulent voting. Literacy—a person’s ability to read or write—is no longer required in any State to vote, but had been by several States at times in our nation’s history. At one time, poll taxes, or a special tax payment required to vote, were prevalent in the South. Poll taxes are now forbidden by the 24th Amendment. States also have restrictions on the right to vote on certain members of the population, such as those found to be mentally incompetent or people convicted of serious crimes. Chapter 6, Section 2

Voting 15th Amendment (1870) 17th Amendment (1913)
All adult males now have the right to vote 17th Amendment (1913) Direct election of Senators 19th Amendment (1920) Women’s Suffrage Frequently Asked Questions About Election Day and Voting Procedures Q. Why are federal elections held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November? A. The Tuesday after the first Monday in November was initially established in 1845 (3 U.S.C. 1) for the appointment of Presidential electors in every fourth year. 2 U.S.C. 7 established this date for electing U.S. Representatives in every even numbered year in Finally, 2 U.S.C. 1 established this date as the time for electing U.S. Senators in 1914. Why early November? For much of our history America was a predominantly agrarian society. Law makers therefore took into account that November was perhaps the most convenient month for farmers and rural workers to be able to travel to the polls. The fall harvest was over, (remembering that spring was planting time and summer was taken up with working the fields and tending the crops) but in the majority of the nation the weather was still mild enough to permit travel over unimproved roads. Why Tuesday? Since most residents of rural America had to travel a significant distance to the county seat in order to vote, Monday was not considered reasonable as many people would need to begin travel on Sunday. This would, of course, have conflicted with church services and Sunday worship. Why the first Tuesday after the first Monday? Lawmakers wanted to prevent election day from falling on the first of November for two reasons. November 1st is All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics. In addition, most merchants were in the habit of doing their books from the preceding month on the 1st. Congress was apparently worried that the economic success or failure of the previous month might influence the vote of the merchants. Q. Does my vote really make a difference? A. "Just" one vote can and often does make a difference in the outcome of an election. Here are some recent examples of real elections decided by one vote. In 1997, Vermont State representative Sydney Nixon was seated as an apparent one vote winner, 570 to Mr Nixon resigned when the State House determined, after a recount, that he had actually lost to his opponent Robert Emond 572 to 571. In 1989, a Lansing, Michigan School District millage proposition failed when thefinal recount produced a tie vote 5,147 for, and 5,147 against. On the original vote count, votes against the proposition were ten more than those in favor. The result meant that the school district had to reduce its budget by $2.5 million. In 1994, Republican Randall Luthi and Independent Larry Call tied for a seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives from the Jackson Hole area with 1,941 votes each. A recount produced the same result. Mr. Luthi was finally declared the winner when, in a drawing before the State Canvassing Board, a pingpong ball bearing his name was pulled from the cowboy hat of Democratic Governor Mike Sullivan. In 1997, South Dakota Democrat John McIntyre led Republican Hal Wick 4,195 to 4,191 for the second seat in Legislative District 12 on election night. A subsequent recount showed Wick the winner at 4,192 to 4,191. The State Supreme Court however, ruled that one ballot counted for Wick was invalid due to an overvote. This left the race a tie. After hearing arguments from both sides, the State Legislature voted to seat wick 46 to 20.

Voting 23rd Amendment (1961) 24th Amendment (1964)
District of Columbia given the right to vote 24th Amendment (1964) Elimination of the Poll Tax 26th Amendment (1971) 18 year olds given the right to vote Frequently Asked Questions About Election Day and Voting Procedures Q. Why are federal elections held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November? A. The Tuesday after the first Monday in November was initially established in 1845 (3 U.S.C. 1) for the appointment of Presidential electors in every fourth year. 2 U.S.C. 7 established this date for electing U.S. Representatives in every even numbered year in Finally, 2 U.S.C. 1 established this date as the time for electing U.S. Senators in 1914. Why early November? For much of our history America was a predominantly agrarian society. Law makers therefore took into account that November was perhaps the most convenient month for farmers and rural workers to be able to travel to the polls. The fall harvest was over, (remembering that spring was planting time and summer was taken up with working the fields and tending the crops) but in the majority of the nation the weather was still mild enough to permit travel over unimproved roads. Why Tuesday? Since most residents of rural America had to travel a significant distance to the county seat in order to vote, Monday was not considered reasonable as many people would need to begin travel on Sunday. This would, of course, have conflicted with church services and Sunday worship. Why the first Tuesday after the first Monday? Lawmakers wanted to prevent election day from falling on the first of November for two reasons. November 1st is All Saints Day, a holy day of obligation for Roman Catholics. In addition, most merchants were in the habit of doing their books from the preceding month on the 1st. Congress was apparently worried that the economic success or failure of the previous month might influence the vote of the merchants. Q. Does my vote really make a difference? A. "Just" one vote can and often does make a difference in the outcome of an election. Here are some recent examples of real elections decided by one vote. In 1997, Vermont State representative Sydney Nixon was seated as an apparent one vote winner, 570 to Mr Nixon resigned when the State House determined, after a recount, that he had actually lost to his opponent Robert Emond 572 to 571. In 1989, a Lansing, Michigan School District millage proposition failed when the final recount produced a tie vote 5,147 for, and 5,147 against. On the original vote count, votes against the proposition were ten more than those in favor. The result meant that the school district had to reduce its budget by $2.5 million. In 1994, Republican Randall Luthi and Independent Larry Call tied for a seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives from the Jackson Hole area with 1,941 votes each. A recount produced the same result. Mr. Luthi was finally declared the winner when, in a drawing before the State Canvassing Board, a pingpong ball bearing his name was pulled from the cowboy hat of Democratic Governor Mike Sullivan. In 1997, South Dakota Democrat John McIntyre led Republican Hal Wick 4,195 to 4,191 for the second seat in Legislative District 12 on election night. A subsequent recount showed Wick the winner at 4,192 to 4,191. The State Supreme Court however, ruled that one ballot counted for Wick was invalid due to an overvote. This left the race a tie. After hearing arguments from both sides, the State Legislature voted to seat wick 46 to 20. Q. What is the order of succession should the President die, become incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to finish his term of office? A. The order of succession is as follows: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, and Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health, Housing, Transportation, Energy, Education, and Veterans Affairs. (Presidential Succession Act of 1947.)

Why Don’t More People Vote?
In 2000 Presidential Election, 51% of the voting age population voted Turnout is lower in off-year elections, primaries, and special elections than in Presidential Elections (about 33%) Activity: Brain storm ways to make the US system better.

Some people can’t vote 20 million don’t vote because they cannot Aliens, handicapped, people in prison Religious beliefs forbid voting

Political Efficacy Belief that one person can’t make a difference by participating in government and politics Voter Registration Corruption historically made it necessary for states to impose rules regarding voting Must be registered and must vote in specific location Absentee ballot

Time-Zone Fallout Media outlets declare winners state by state Eastern states are declared before the western states have finished voting Results discourage west coast voters from going out to vote because they believe that their vote doesn’t matter

Weekday Voting Most countries vote on weekends when people are off work Voter Satisfaction Believe the outcome won’t affect them Bad weather

Review for Test Complete Study Guide for Test
Coincides with Chapter 6-8 in your book

Pursuit of Power Politics in America SOL: Govt.6a-g.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Pursuit of Power Politics in America SOL: Govt.6a-g."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

Pursuit of Power Politics in America SOL: Govt.6a-g.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "Pursuit of Power Politics in America SOL: Govt.6a-g."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback