PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 2016

Primaries/Caucuses How does each political party select its best candidate?

Democrats

Republicans

Primary/Caucus Elections in each state (1 Dem/1 Rep) Based on tradition, party or state rules Not in the Constitution Spread out over the spring of 2016

Primary/Caucus There are 3 kinds of primaries: Open Closed Mixed (MA)

Closed Primary/Caucus Democrats may only vote in the Democratic primary election Republicans may only vote in the Republican primary election Independents or un-enrolled voters may NOT take part in either Primary election

Open Primary/Caucus Democrats may vote in the Republican primary election Republicans may vote in the Democratic primary election Independents or un-enrolled voters may take part in either primary election

Primary/Caucus Which is a fairer way to elect candidates – open or closed primaries?

Mass Primary: ½ Open & ½ Closed Democrats may only vote in the Democratic primary election Republicans may only vote in the Republican primary election Independents or un-enrolled voters may take part in either Primary election Election Day: 3/1 (Super Tuesday)

Examples Alabama Primary OpenAlabama Alaska Republican Caucus ClosedAlaska Arkansas Primary OpenArkansas Colorado Caucus ClosedColorado Georgia Primary OpenGeorgia Minnesota Caucus OpenMinnesota

Slide on # of delegates.. 2/1/2016Iowa44 2/9/2016 New Hampshire24 2/20/2016Nevada35 2/27/2016 South Carolina53 (Democratic Primaries)

How does one candidate win? Each state is worth a certain number of “points” known as delegates. Who ever gets a majority of delegates wins Delegates are determined by party rules We always vote by state This is an indirect election system - We vote for delegates not the candidate Delegates meet in the summer at a convention to select the party’s nominee

National Conventions

Round II: General Election Elections in each state Based on the Constitution 1 st Tuesday in Nov (after 1 st Monday) The general elections mirror the primaries

General Election

Popular v. Electoral Votes We always vote for president by state Each state is worth points called electors We actually vote for electors not the candidate Electors formally select the president Popular votes are the number of people who vote for a candidate – don’t count

Vote by state: Winner take all This means who ever gets the most votes (plurality) gets all of the electors for any given state +50% = majority The most votes, but less than 50% is called a plurality This system discourages 3 rd party candidates

How to determine the number of Electors? By state # of reps + # of Senators (2) = electors MA: 9 reps + 2 Senators = 11 electors USA: 435 reps senators = 535 Add in 3 for DC = Total 538 To win = 270

Electoral College Map

If you were to run for president, which states would campaign the hardest in?

Electoral College Map

Is it possible to win in the Electoral College and actually lose the popular votes? Yes – George Bush & Al Gore Can you name other times this has happened?

What if no one wins a majority in the electoral college? House of representatives selects from the top 4 candidates