Election Fundamentals GOVT 2306, Unit 4

Elections are frequent The conscientious Texas voters has the opportunity to participate in numerous elections: Spring primary election and runoff of even-numbered years November general election of even- numbered years Local elections held at various times Special elections for a variety of offices and other purposes Would you expect frequent elections would increase or decrease average election turnout? Decrease it.

States set election laws Although the U.S. Constitution and U.S. law prohibit voter discrimination based on age, gender, race, and ethnicity, states are responsible for establishing election laws and administering elections. Voter ID laws, early voting, registration procedures, balloting (mail or in-person), and vote counting procedures are set by states.

Why do people vote early? Early Voting Texans is one of 27 states that permit early voting, a system that allows citizens to cast ballots before Election Day. In 1987, the legislature revised the election code to allow people to vote early without having to give an explanation, and many Texans now take advantage of no- excuse early voting. The period for early voting begins 17 days before an election and ends 4 days before. Why do people vote early?

Long ballot Texas has a long ballot, an election system that provides for the election of nearly every public official of any significance. The long ballot reflects the constitutional principle of Jacksonian democracy. In Harris County in 2014, voters faced a ballot featuring more than 70 contested races. Does the long ballot contribute positively to democracy? How? Does the long ballot negatively affect democracy? How?

Types of elections

General elections A general election is an election to fill state and national offices held in November of even-numbered years. Voters choose among Democratic and Republican candidates, and sometimes third-party candidates and independent candidates not affiliated with any political party. In Texas, the candidate with the most votes wins the general election. A majority is not necessary. In a race for Texas governor, the Republican candidate receives 48 percent of the vote, the Democratic candidate gets 47 percent, and the Libertarian gets 5 percent. Who wins? The Republican. The person with the most votes wins a general election.

Straight and split tickets Texas and 15 other states allow citizens to cast a straight-ticket ballot, which refers to voters selecting the entire slate of candidates of one party only. In contrast, a split-ticket ballot involves voters casting their ballots for the candidates of two or more political parties.

Primary elections A primary election is an election held to determine a party's nominees for the general election ballot. Democrats compete against other Democrats; Republicans compete against Republicans. In Texas, primary elections take place on the first Tuesday in March of even-numbered years. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff is held in May.

Types of primaries A closed primary is an election system that limits primary election participation to registered party members. Many party leaders favor the closed primary because they believe that it prevents the supporters of the opposition party from influencing the selection of candidates for their party. An open primary is an election system that allows voters to pick the party primary of their choice without disclosing their party affiliation. Some party leaders favor the open primary because they believe that it will produce nominees who can appeal to independent voters and supporters of the other party more than the closed primary can.

Texas primary The Texas primary system is a cross between an open primary and a closed primary. In contrast to the practice in many states, Texas does not require that citizens disclose their party affiliation when they register to vote. On primary election day, however, voters must publicly choose the party in whose primary they wish to participate. They cannot vote in both primaries. Would you expect that more people would participate in a primary election or the general election (or would turnout be the same)?

Research indicates that primary voters are hardcore party supporters. 2012 Voter Turnout What sort of folks vote in the general election but not in a primary election? Research indicates that primary voters are hardcore party supporters. Republican primary turnout = 1,449,447 Democratic primary turnout = 590,164 General election turnout = 7,993,851

Most Important Voters in Texas The most important voters in Texas are the 1.5 million people who vote in Republican primary elections because their votes determine the ultimate outcomes of every statewide election and most races for the Texas House and Texas Senate. This is an important point.

Who Are the 1.5 Million? Almost all of them are white. Their mean age is 68. Most of them are homeowners who have lived in the same location for 20 years or more. Most are men. Few have children attending public schools. Most have college degrees. Most have family incomes greater than $70 K a year. They are almost all very conservative. They want to fight Obama at every opportunity, shrink the size of state government, outlaw abortion, promote traditional Christianity, seal off the border from illegal immigrants, expand gun rights, and defend traditional marriage.

Quiz The correct answer is B. Which of the following elections ALWAYS takes place in November? Primary election General election Primary election runoff All of the above take place in November The correct answer is B.

What We Have Learned Who sets the election laws in Texas? What is early voting? What is the long ballot? What is a general election? What is a primary election? Where is turnout greater—the primary or the general election? Which election is the most important in Texas? Who decides the outcome of Texas elections?