The Electoral Process

Nomination Naming of those who will seek office 5 Ways to Nominate Self-Announcement Caucus Convention Direct Primary Petition

Self-Announcement “I am running.” “I am running.” Write-in candidates. Write-in candidates.

Caucus Is a group of people who meet to select the candidates they will support in an upcoming election. Is a group of people who meet to select the candidates they will support in an upcoming election.

Convention Choose people who are going to run in an election Choose people who are going to run in an election For example: Presidential Nominations For example: Presidential Nominations

Petition Collecting of signatures to be able to place your name on the ballot. Collecting of signatures to be able to place your name on the ballot.

Primaries Direct Primary: held within the party to select the party’s candidates. Direct Primary: held within the party to select the party’s candidates. Different Types: Different Types: Closed- party nominating election in which only declared party members vote. Closed- party nominating election in which only declared party members vote. Open- party nominating election in which anyone can vote. Open- party nominating election in which anyone can vote. Blanket – voters get a list of candidates and can vote for whomever they want. Blanket – voters get a list of candidates and can vote for whomever they want.

Elections

Absentee Voting Too ill or disabled to make it to the polling places. Too ill or disabled to make it to the polling places. Those who expect to away from home on election day (business trip, college, vacation) Those who expect to away from home on election day (business trip, college, vacation) Those serving in the armed forces Those serving in the armed forces

Election Day is Tuesday-after-the first-Monday in November. Election Day is Tuesday-after-the first-Monday in November. Coattail Effect: occurs when a strong candidate running for an office at the top of the ballot helps attract voters to other candidates on the party’s ticket. Coattail Effect: occurs when a strong candidate running for an office at the top of the ballot helps attract voters to other candidates on the party’s ticket.

Money and Elections

Why is Money so Important to a Campaign?

Candidates Spend Money On: Television Television Radio Radio Newspapers Newspapers Signs Signs Travel Travel

Where Do They Get the Money? Small contributors Small contributors Wealthy individuals and families Wealthy individuals and families Candidates Candidates Nonparty Groups (Political Action Committees) Nonparty Groups (Political Action Committees) Temporary Organizations Temporary Organizations

Regulating Campaign Finance Began in 1907 Began in 1907

Federal Election Commission (FEC) Set up to deal with federal law dealing with campaign finance. Set up to deal with federal law dealing with campaign finance.

Contribution Rules No individual or group can donate money in the name of another. No individual or group can donate money in the name of another. Cash gifts must be $100 dollars or less. More than $100 are not accepted. Cash gifts must be $100 dollars or less. More than $100 are not accepted. Candidate can only have one committee that collects money and spends the money. Candidate can only have one committee that collects money and spends the money. Any contribution of $5,000 must be reported to the FEC no later than 48 hours after it is received. Any contribution of $5,000 must be reported to the FEC no later than 48 hours after it is received.

Limits on Contributions No more than a $1,000 can be given by a person to someone in a federal election. No more than a $1,000 can be given by a person to someone in a federal election. A person cannot give more than $5,000 to a political action committee. A person cannot give more than $5,000 to a political action committee. Or $20,000 to a national party committee. Or $20,000 to a national party committee. A person can not donate more than $25,000 a year total. A person can not donate more than $25,000 a year total.

PAC Contributions Political parts of special-interest groups. Political parts of special-interest groups.

Loopholes in the Law : Is money given to State and local party organizations for “party-building activities” Soft Money : Is money given to State and local party organizations for “party-building activities” ex. Voter registration, get-out-the-vote drives, party mailings and advertisements, and “voter-education”. ex. Voter registration, get-out-the-vote drives, party mailings and advertisements, and “voter-education”.

Hard Money : campaign money that is subject to regulation by the FEC.

Help Me Decide How I Would Vote?

Quincy Daniels 55 Years of Age Protestant White Lawyer Republican

Maria Jackson 65 years of age Pro-Life Supports War Housewife Republican

Mike Jones 84 years of age Priest Wants less military spending Pro- Choice Legalize Marijuana Democrat