Elections: The Primary System

Election: orderly process for making group decisions.

Types of Elections Direct Primary: An election held within the party to pick candidates for the general election. Most states use this method. May be Open or Closed

Open Primary Party nominating election in which any qualified voter may take part Texas has a modified open system

Closed Primary Tends to exclude independent voters A party nominating election in which only declared party members may vote. Makes voters more thoughtful Discourages raiding Makes candidates more responsive to the party

Nonpartisan Primary An election of candidates when they are not labeled by party Example: School Board Election

Two Major Parties Hold a national convention every four years to select their presidential candidates

General Election First Tuesday following the first Monday of the Month of November. The General Election is the main event!

States are responsible for making election laws and running elections.

Coattail effect When a stronger popular candidate (the President) helps out other candidates of his/her party to be elected.

Ballot Device use to register your choice Absentee ballot can be requested when voter is not present on election day.

Types of Ballots Australian: We use this type! It’s printed at taxpayers’ expense, not alphabetical and secret Party Column: Lists all candidates according to their political party Office Group: Lists all candidates according to the office they are seeking

Structure of Elections Federal election cycles are determined by the term lengths set out in the Constitution. The federal election cycle ensures that the entire government will not turn over at the same time. Some, but not all, federal and state positions have term limits. House of Representatives – 2 years Senators – 6 years President – 4 years In many states, citizens vote on: legislative referendums: legislature refers issue to voters for approval popular referendums: voters vote to approve or repeal laws Initiatives: citizens propose constitutional law or amendment

Voter Election Choices Election cycles, term limits, and ballot issues all influence voter choices at the polls. Voters’ personal backgrounds affect their decisions. Voters are also influenced by loyalty, or lack of loyalty, to a political party. Voters look for a variety of qualifications in candidates for office. Voters are typically most concerned with issues that directly affect them.

Voter Participation Voter participation in the U.S. is low compared to many other democracies around the world. Many citizens do not vote because of registration practices or little party involvement. Voter turnout is impacted by the sheer number of elections and new requirements for voting. Citizens who vote regularly have positive attitudes toward government and citizenship. A number of reforms are being considered to make voting more convenient.

Voter Qualifications and Voter Registration States require U.S. citizenship and some period of state residence in order to vote. To vote, one must first be registered, or enrolled with the local government. Registration is required to prevent voter fraud. You must complete a registration form in order to become eligible to vote. Political parties and nonpartisan groups help people register to vote.

Voting Voting in the United States is optional, but it is an important part of democracy. Voters should be informed about the issues and candidates that will be on the ballot. Voters are assigned a polling place within their precinct and near their residence. Voting procedures and ballots vary from state to state, and voters are entitled to assistance. When the polls close, the ballots are forwarded to the local canvassing board for counting.