Focus Question Rising campaign costs have led to: A.Some candidates dropping out due to inadequate international funding. B.Term limits for those borrowing money to finance their campaigns. C.Candidates borrowing money from the Federal Reserve. D.Campaign finance reform.

Objectives CE.5 TSWBAT explain the electoral process.

The Political Process – Getting on the Ballot Historically: Party Leaders would have a closed meeting called a caucus. They would select a candidate. No public input. Today: Primary Process Many hopefuls announce their candidacy. Each state has run-off election called a primary or a caucus.

The Political Process – Getting on the Ballot Primary Preliminary Elections in which party members/citizens elect people to run in the general election. Narrows the playing field Caucus Meeting of members of a political party to choose group policy, or nominate candidates for various offices.

The Political Process – Getting on the Ballot 2008 Democrats Barack Obama Hillary Clinton John Edwards Chris Dodd Mike Gravel Bill Richardson Dennis Kucinich 2008 Republicans John McCain Mitt Romney Mike Huckabee Ron Paul Rudy Giuliani Fred Thompson

The Election Year – January - June Voting in a Primary Not actually selecting the candidate Selecting delegates to represent/vote for that candidate at the party convention Longer than the actual campaign Primary Season – January – June (6 months) Presidential Campaign – August – November (3 months) Key States and Super Tuesday Primaries are the most important – the rest are fairly ineffective Iowa, New Hampshire, Super Tuesday, California Candidates spend most of their money Candidates who lose early primaries, lose media attention

The Election Process The _________________ Season – January to June Primary – _________________________Elections in which party members/citizens elect people to run in the ______________________________ election. ____________________than the General Election. Candidates who lose early________________ attention drop out. ___________________________ VS. DEMOCRAT ___________________________ VS. REPUBLICAN Primary Preliminary general Longer Lose media Democrat Republican

The Election Year – June - September Prior to Convention – June/July Site is Chosen Number of delegates and votes is assigned to states At the Convention July-September As a result of primaries some delegates are committed to vote for a candidate, others are not. Candidates pursue undeclared delegates

The Party Convention Speeches, Speeches and more Speeches Convention is one big Pep Rally. Politicians, Rock Stars, Movie Stars, Average Joes RNC – 2004 Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Party Convention Party sets platform Position on Issues, what the party believes Nomination of candidates Vote is taken – winner gets nomination Vice-President Usually acceptance of Presidential Candidate’s Running Mate. Adjournment

The Election Process Party _____________________ – June to September Party Convention – __________________________ Nomination of Party Candidate. ___________________, Speeches and more Speeches Convention is one big __________________________. Party sets _______________________ Official ________________________ of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates Convention Official Speeches Pep Rally Platform Nomination

The General Election – August - November The Final Campaign between the two official candidates. Candidates advertise heavily. Candidates target key states and battlegrounds. Candidates usually have a series of debates. Campaigns focus on registering new voters. Former Leaders & Entertainers campaign for their choice candidate.

The General Election – Election Day According to the constitution- Elections occur by the 1 st Tuesday after the 1 st Monday in November. Usually b/w the 4 th & the 8 th. As states announce their winner… the media keeps track of the electoral college results. After a winner is declared by the media, the election moves into the hands of the electoral college.

The Election Process The __________________ Election – September to November General Election – The _________________ Campaign between the ____________ official candidates. Elections occur by the 1 st Tuesday after the 1 st Monday in ______________________. As ________________ election results come in, winner is declared and the winner of said state takes that state’s _____________________________ Votes. __________________ Election – Vote of the Citizens. General Final two November state Electoral College Popular

The General Election – Post Election The Electoral College must meet and cast their vote no later than Dec 20. Congress checks the vote. Inauguration Day – Jan 20.

The Election Process Electoral College & _____________________ Day _____________________ College- The official group which _________________ the President & Vice-President. Votes are assigned based on the congressional _____________________ of each state. Must meet by December 20. _____________________ Day - New President takes power. January 20 at 12:00 pm. Inauguration Electoral elects representation Inauguration

Check for Understanding When a candidate is running in a primary election, he is: A.Running for the office B.Running against members of the same party for the office. C.Running against members of the opposing party for the nomination D.Running against members of his own party for the nomination.

Check for Understanding The _________ is the official organization which elects the president and vice president. A.The Election Commission B.Congress C.The Electoral College D.The State Legislatures