Participation in Government Johnstown High School Mr. Cox Elections Participation in Government Johnstown High School Mr. Cox

Bellringer Essential Question To the best of your knowledge, take a guess about what you think the average voter turn out was (# of eligible people who voted) during the last presidential election. Essential Question Are the election procedures currently in place in America contradictive of Democracy? Explain.

Running for President Before the process begins, one must either be wealthy, or have supporters willing to financially back your run for the office. President Obama raised and spent $750 million in 2008

Running for President Stage 1: The Nomination Primaries Caucuses used by: 84% of Democratic Delegates 89% of Republican Delegates an election held to nominate a candidate for a particular party at a forthcoming election for public office Caucuses a private meeting of members of a political party to plan action or to select delegates for a nominating convention

Running for President Stage 2: The National Convention The summer before the election each party meets on the national stage to officially pick the party’s candidate for President and Vice-President Party Platform – this is where the party delivers a document that states the perspectives on public policy… Stage 3: The General Election Presidential Debates – These are televised for viewers in order to help display for the public the differences between the two candidates.

The Only Campaign Number That Matters: 270 Number of electors = House + Senate +3 for D.C. 435+100+3 = 538 electors Therefore, any candidate receiving 270 votes or more wins

examples CA 29 million 55 electors 1 per 527,272 TX 16 million 34 electors 1 per 470,588 NY 17 million 31 electors 1 per 548,387 AZ 3.5 million 10 electors 1 per 350,000 Alaska 550,000 3 electors 1 per 183,333

Can a candidate win the popular vote and lose the electoral vote? Is the Electoral College Undemocratic? Can a candidate win the popular vote and lose the electoral vote? The Winner-Take-All system - a candidate winning some states by very small margins in the popular vote and other states by very large margins can win in the electoral college. In 2000, Gore won popular vote. he lost some states by very small margins (Florida), he lost the electoral vote

The Case Against the Electoral College Pros and Cons The Case Against the Electoral College The Winner-Take-All System is undemocratic Treats voters unequally Contingency election procedure -undemocratic Confusing—a direct vote is more simple and understandable

The Case for the Electoral College Tradition – a proven, workable system State based system makes candidate campaign in all 50 states rather than few populous ones Gives Presidents an electoral reason for attending to State interests rather than individual interests Discourages voter fraud Prevents parties from “running up the score”

Prevents uneducated majority from deciding President Prevents minority or plurality Presidents Preserves Two-Party System Discourages third party efforts

Money IN Politics Campaign Finance How does money effect elections? What concerns are there regarding large amounts of $$$$ flowing into an election? What unintended consequences might arise from this $$$$$$... Could campaign finance hinder free speech?

Essential Question Homework Are the election procedures currently in place in America contradictive of Democracy? Explain. Living room candidate worksheet Homework