PRESIDENTIAL and CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

NOMINATION The first step in electing a president is the Nomination process. This is where the voters in each party select a candidate. This process begins in January of the election year & goes until June. Candidates are looking to gain delegates throughout this process

PRIMARIES Most States hold primaries. 20-30% of voters participate in the primaries. These are one day intraparty elections.

CLOSED PRIMARIES A primary is a contest within a party to select a candidate. Some States hold Closed Primaries. This means that only registered party members may vote.

OPEN PRIMARIES Open primaries allow all qualified voters to participate. The day of the election, voters must decide whether to vote in the Democratic Primary or the Republican Primary.

Caucuses Caucuses are meetings held by party members to determine which candidate will receive delegates Instead of a vote, members meet to allocate delegates Iowa most prominent example

WHAT CANDIDATES GET FROM THE PRIMARIES AND CAUCUSES Candidates want to win often and early. By winning the early primaries and caucuses, the candidates get media attention and donations to their campaigns.

THE NATIONAL CONVENTIONS Three important things happen at the national conventions: The presidential & vice-presidential candidates are officially nominated The party platform is written This is the party’s stand on the issues. The party is united behind one candidate.

STEP THREE THE CAMPAIGN This is when the Democratic Candidate and Republican Candidate campaign against each other--- LET THE FUN BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!

STEP FOUR--THE GENERAL ELECTION!! This is when we go vote!!! It is always held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in Nov.

THE GENERAL ELECTION!! We now use the Australian ballot. Printed by the State Private Lists all candidates Handed out only at voting precincts Our vote decides WHO gets to cast the electoral college votes!!!

STEP FIVE--THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE Winner take all--in most States, the candidate that wins more of the popular vote, wins ALL of the electoral votes!!!!

THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION The President and Vice-President are sworn in to office on Jan. 20, at noon 20th Amendment

Congressional Elections Elections for members of Congress occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years Regular chance to replace leaders (accountability)

FIXED, STAGGERED, AND SOMETIMES LIMITED TERMS - All House members are up for election every two years Only one-third of the senators are up for election at the same time President is elected every four years

FIXED, STAGGERED, AND SOMETIMES LIMITED TERMS The Twenty-second Amendment limits presidents to two terms Despite their popularity, proposals for term limits have repeatedly lost when they have come to a vote in Congress

FACTORS AFFECTING OUTCOMES OF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS Incumbency: The Greatest Influence Scope of incumbency advantage • +90% of Representatives who run are reelected, +80% of Senators Lack of competitiveness >> charges of “permanent congress” and the call for congressional term limits (ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court) 14

FACTORS AFFECTING OUTCOMES OF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS Midterm Elections are General Elections held in between Presidential elections – in the middle of a President’s term Voter Turnout much higher in Presidential election years 60% Presidential vs 40% midterm Coattail effect – The extent of presidential popularity affects both House and Senate elections President’s party generally gains seats in the House and Senate in presidential election year President’s party generally loses seats in the House and Senate in midterm election year