THE RACE FOR THE PRESIDENCY 2016 EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROCESS ….BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK ….BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK

THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE Who ARE these people?

THE PRESIDENCY Term of office: four years Term of office: four years May serve two full terms totaling eight years* May serve two full terms totaling eight years* A Vice President may succeed a President and serve a maximum of ten years (25 th Amendment) A Vice President may succeed a President and serve a maximum of ten years (25 th Amendment)

THE PRESIDENCY Presidential Qualifications: Presidential Qualifications: 35 years old, resident 14 years, natural born citizen. 35 years old, resident 14 years, natural born citizen. Elected by the Electoral College (which is elected by popular vote) Elected by the Electoral College (which is elected by popular vote) Authorized by Article II of the U.S. Constitution. Authorized by Article II of the U.S. Constitution. Roles include: Roles include: Commander in Chief (leader of the armed services) Commander in Chief (leader of the armed services) Chief Legislator (recommends and acts on legislation) Chief Legislator (recommends and acts on legislation) Chief Diplomat (treaties, executive agreements) Chief Diplomat (treaties, executive agreements) Chief Administrator (leader of the bureaucracy) Chief Administrator (leader of the bureaucracy) Head of State (represents country, appointments, pardons) Head of State (represents country, appointments, pardons)

DYNAMIC DUOS

THE VP RUNNING MATE Vice President: Qualifications: same as President (35 years old, resident 14 years, natural born citizen) Qualifications: same as President (35 years old, resident 14 years, natural born citizen) Elected by the Electoral College Elected by the Electoral College Authorized by Article II of the U.S. Constitution Authorized by Article II of the U.S. Constitution Role is undefined. Dependent on the President for assignments. Typical duties include travel abroad, working with Congress and advising the President Role is undefined. Dependent on the President for assignments. Typical duties include travel abroad, working with Congress and advising the President Steps in when President is unable to perform the duties of the office Steps in when President is unable to perform the duties of the office Breaks tie votes in the Senate (as Senate President) Breaks tie votes in the Senate (as Senate President)

2016 ELECTION CALENDAR 2016 ELECTION CALENDAR Jan-June: Caucuses and Primaries, winning the party nomination Jan-June: Caucuses and Primaries, winning the party nomination Aug-Sept: Party conventions Aug-Sept: Party conventions October: Debates (President / VP) October: Debates (President / VP) Nov 8, 2016: General election! Nov 8, 2016: General election! Dec, 2016: Electoral College vote Dec, 2016: Electoral College vote Jan 20, 2017: Inauguration of 45 th President Jan 20, 2017: Inauguration of 45 th President

THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE Primary: State voters determine who they want to represent their parties via secret ballot. Candidates earn proportional delegates to the conventions. Most states employ the “ primary ” system. The first Primary is in New Hampshire. Primary: State voters determine who they want to represent their parties via secret ballot. Candidates earn proportional delegates to the conventions. Most states employ the “ primary ” system. The first Primary is in New Hampshire. Caucus: State voters determine who they want to represent their parties in open town hall type assemblies (no secret ballot). The first Caucus is in Iowa. Others held in Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Alaska and New Mexico. Caucus: State voters determine who they want to represent their parties in open town hall type assemblies (no secret ballot). The first Caucus is in Iowa. Others held in Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Alaska and New Mexico.

THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE Iowa Caucus: February 1, 2016 Iowa Caucus: February 1, ,774 separate caucuses throughout Iowa New Hampshire Primary: February 9, 2016 New Hampshire Primary: February 9, 2016

2016 PARTY CONVENTIONS Republicans: July 18 – 21 Republicans: July 18 – 21 Cleveland, OH Cleveland, OH Democrats: July Democrats: July Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia, PA Confirm nominating process and selection of candidates for President and Vice President (delegate voting). Confirm nominating process and selection of candidates for President and Vice President (delegate voting). Develop “ party platform ” and “ planks ” : Develop “ party platform ” and “ planks ” : Platform: general philosophy (list of principles) of the respective parties Platform: general philosophy (list of principles) of the respective parties Planks: specific positions on political/social issues such as war, immigration, health care, reproductive rights, same sex marriage and capital punishment that make up the platform. Planks: specific positions on political/social issues such as war, immigration, health care, reproductive rights, same sex marriage and capital punishment that make up the platform.

CONVENTION PARTICIPANTS Delegates: Party members chosen at the state level through the primary/caucus process and awarded to Delegates: Party members chosen at the state level through the primary/caucus process and awarded to competing candidates according to state election results. These individuals comprise roughly 80% of all convention voters. competing candidates according to state election results. These individuals comprise roughly 80% of all convention voters. Super Delegates*: Democratic National Committee members, all Democratic members of Congress, Democratic governors, and certain former party leaders. This group makes up about 20% of all convention delegates and are not pledged (committed to any candidate). They may change candidate endorsements as the they choose. Super Delegates*: Democratic National Committee members, all Democratic members of Congress, Democratic governors, and certain former party leaders. This group makes up about 20% of all convention delegates and are not pledged (committed to any candidate). They may change candidate endorsements as the they choose. *Only within the Democratic Party

PRESIDENTIAL “ DEBATES ” Usually feature 1 debate between the VP nominees, and 3 debates featuring the Presidential candidates. Nixon/Kennedy (1960) Nixon/Kennedy (1960) Romney/Obama (2012) Romney/Obama (2012)

POPULAR AND ELECTORAL VOTES Popular vote (November): all eligible voters cast ballots to elect the President and Vice President Popular vote (November): all eligible voters cast ballots to elect the President and Vice President The totals in each state determines who will earn the Electoral votes from that state The totals in each state determines who will earn the Electoral votes from that state Winner-take-all in 48 states (Nebraska and Maine are proportional) Winner-take-all in 48 states (Nebraska and Maine are proportional) Electoral vote (December): Each state is allocated a predetermined number of electoral votes that is equivalent to the total number of members in the Senate and House Washington State has 2 members in the Senate and 10 in the House for a total of 12 Electoral votes

ELECTORAL COLLEGE votes based on the House of Representatives membership votes based on the Senate membership 3 3 votes allocated to Washington D.C. (23rd amendment) total, 270 needed to win presidency 12 Washington now has 12 votes Popular vote (the people) the first Tuesday of November. College votes the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December. Results announced before Congress by the sitting Vice President

ELECTORAL COLLEGE What is it? What is it? “ Winner-take-all ” -- except Maine and Nebraska “ Winner-take-all ” -- except Maine and Nebraska The Electoral College selects the President The Electoral College selects the President Popular vote vs. electoral vote Popular vote vs. electoral vote 1876-Hayes vs. Tilden 1876-Hayes vs. Tilden 1888-Harrison vs. Cleveland 1888-Harrison vs. Cleveland 2000-Bush vs. Gore 2000-Bush vs. Gore If no candidate earns a majority of electoral votes: the House selects the President and the Senate selects the Vice President. If no candidate earns a majority of electoral votes: the House selects the President and the Senate selects the Vice President.

ELECTORAL OTE BREAKDOWN 100 based on the Senate membership 100 based on the Senate membership 435 based on the House membership 435 based on the House membership 3 allocated to Washington D.C. 3 allocated to Washington D.C. 538 total votes possible 538 total votes possible 270 needed to win the Presidency/VP 270 needed to win the Presidency/VP 270= 538/2+1

Red states, blue states huh? During elections politicos often refer to voting states as “red”, “blue” or “purple” states. During the past several presidential elections many states have developed a pattern of voting for one party or the other and can often be predicted prior to the actual election. Red states refer to Republican-leaning states such as South Dakota, Texas and Tennessee. Blue states refer to Democratic-leaning states and include California, Washington, New York and Illinois. Swing states or “battleground states” are wide open

2016 BATTLEGROUND STATES Florida - 29, Pennsylvania - 20, Ohio – 18, North Carolina – 15, Virginia – 13, etc.

BY THE NUMBERS, ELECTORAL VS. POPULAR VOTES (major parties only) Year Candidate Elec. Popular Year Candidate Elec. Popular 1988 George H. Bush (R) ,886,097 (53.4%) 1988 George H. Bush (R) ,886,097 (53.4%) Michael Dukakis (D) ,809,074 (45.6%) Michael Dukakis (D) ,809,074 (45.6%) 1992 Bill Clinton (D) ,908,254 (43.3%) 1992 Bill Clinton (D) ,908,254 (43.3%) George H. Bush (R) ,102,243 (37.7%) George H. Bush (R) ,102,243 (37.7%) 1996 Bill Clinton (D) ,590,703 (50%) 1996 Bill Clinton (D) ,590,703 (50%) Bob Dole (R) ,816,307 (42%) Bob Dole (R) ,816,307 (42%) 2000 George W. Bush (R) ,456,002 (47.9%) 2000 George W. Bush (R) ,456,002 (47.9%) Al Gore (D) 266 *50,999,897 (48.4%) Al Gore (D) 266 *50,999,897 (48.4%) 2004 George W. Bush (R) ,459,765 (52%) 2004 George W. Bush (R) ,459,765 (52%) John Kerry (D) ,949,407 (48%) John Kerry (D) ,949,407 (48%) 2008 John McCain (R) ,934,814 (45.7%) 2008 John McCain (R) ,934,814 (45.7%) Barack Obama (D) ,456,897 (52.9%) Barack Obama (D) ,456,897 (52.9%) *Al Gore won the popular vote and lost the electoral vote. Fourth occurrence in U.S. presidential voting history. 270 electoral votes are needed to win. *Al Gore won the popular vote and lost the electoral vote. Fourth occurrence in U.S. presidential voting history. 270 electoral votes are needed to win.

2012 Actual Electoral Votes