The Electoral Process Chapter 7

A Critical First Step In the US, the election process is in two steps: 1. Nomination – narrowing the field of candidates 2. General Election – Voters make the final choice

Nominating and Electing a Candidate

Ways to Nominate 1. Self-Announcement 2. Caucus/Convention A person who wants to run for office announces their candidacy. Example: Write-In 2. Caucus/Convention Caucus - Like-minded people who select candidates (corrupt) Convention – party’s members meet at a local caucus to pick candidates.

Ways to Nominate 3. Petition gather a required number of voters’ signatures Minor party and independent candidates use this process. Used at the local level for elections.

Types of Direct Primaries 4. Direct Primary Types of Direct Primaries Open Primary Any qualified voter can take part. (2 ballots) Blanket Primary (1 ballot) Qualified voters can vote for any candidate, regardless of party Runoff Primary If a required majority is not met, the two people with the most votes run again Nonpartisan Primary Candidates are not identified by party labels Closed Primary Only declared party members can vote.

The Administration of Elections Elections are primarily handled by the States, but there are some federal regulations: Congress has the power to: Set time, place, and manner of elections First Tuesday after the first Monday in November

Precincts and Polling Places Precinct – small geographic units used to carry out elections Polling Place – where the voters living in a precinct go to vote. Should be conveniently located to the voter’s place of residence.

Casting the Ballot History Originally voting was done orally. Mid-1800s – began using paper ballots. People brought their own. Late 1800s – began using standard ballot.

Ballots Australian Two Types Printed at public’s expense Lists names of all candidates Given out at polls Secrecy Two Types Office Group Party-Column (straight-ticket)

Office-Group and Party-Column Ballot

Electoral College 270 of 538 votes House chooses Pres. If 270 is not reached Senate chooses Vice-Pres. Electors cast their vote separately http://ed.ted.com/lessons/does-your-vote-count-the-electoral-college-explained-christina-greer

Campaign Spending

2008 Campaign Spending McCain (Republican) $333 million Obama (Democrat) $730 million Barr (Libertarian) $1 million Nader (Independent) $ 4 million McKinney (Green) $ 145,000 Baldwin (Constitution) $ 208,000

Private and Public Sources of Campaign Money Sources of Funding Private and Public Sources of Campaign Money Nonparty groups such as PACs Small Contributors Temporary fund-raising organizations Wealthy supporters Candidates Government subsidies

PAC Political Action Committee Organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect/defeat candidates. Can give up to $5,000 to candidate during election year. Can give up to $15,000 to political party Can give $5,000 to other PACs. Ex: Coca-Cola, AT&T

Super PAC New type created in 2010 No contributions to candidates or parties Make independent expenditures in way of ads, sending mail, etc. No limit in giving $$$ EX: Just Drink The Kool-Aid; Peeps PAC

The Federal Election Commission The FEC enforces: the timely disclosure of campaign finance information limits on campaign contributions limits on campaign expenditures provisions for public funding of presidential campaigns

Loopholes in the Law Soft money—money given to State and local party organizations for “party-building activities” that is filtered to presidential or congressional campaigns. $500 million was given to campaigns in this way in 2000. Independent campaign spending—a person unrelated and unconnected to a candidate or party can spend as much money as they want to benefit or work against candidates. Issue ads—take a stand on certain issues in order to criticize or support a certain candidate without actually mentioning that person’s name.