1. Chapter 9 Elections, Campaigns, and Voting
AP Government
Chapter 9
Elections, Campaigns, and Voting

2. Nominations/Primary Elections
Caucus – like minded members that meet to select delegates to national convention – Iowa Caucus
Open Primary
Closed Primary
Super Tuesday: day in early March on which the most presidential primary elections take place

3. Citizens Voice
Referendum – citizens vote for/against a measure proposed by the state legislature
Initiative – citizen sponsored proposal that can amend legislation
Recall – cuts an officeholders term--- this is how Arnold Schwarzenegger??? Became governor of California

4. The Choice to Run Civic responsibility Party loyalty
Interest name recognition
Personal goals

5. Formal Eligibility Requirements
President
Vice President
Natural Born Citizen
35 years old
Resident of the US for 14 years
Natural Born Citizen
At least 35

6. Formal Requirements US Senate US Representative
Citizen at least 9 years
30 years of age
Resident of the state elected
Citizen for at least 7 years
25 years of age
Resident of the state elected

7. Informal Requirements
“qualified” to hold office
Professional/leadership experience
Strong communication skills
Education
Name recognition
Ability to raise money

8. How Political Campaigns Have Changed
Then (1980s)
Now
Many campaigns were staffed by volunteers
Professional “guns for hire”; extensive staff dedicated to strategy setting, fund-raising, and media relations
Grassroots activism
Netroots activism – activism driven by candidates’ websites, tweets, blogs, social networking sites
Money was a crucial consideration, but grassroots demanded fewer financial resources
Money rules the day; but technology has the potential to level the playing field

9. Money and Politics
Political Action Committee – required of any group that contributes to a campaign
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 2010 – use of new super PACs, use contributions from individuals, corporations, and labor unions to spend unlimited sums independent of the campaign

10. Regulation of $$$ Legislation Court Talk
1971, Federal Election Campaign Act – placed limitations on expenditures/contributions
Voluntary tax return check-off – you contribute $3 for matching funds received by qualified candidates
1974 reforms- disclosure of contributions/expenditures
Buckley v. Valeo, 1976 – candidate restrictions on contributions violated ones right to free speech
Allowed growth of PACs
527s/501(c)4s – nonprofit organizations to promote social welfare, includes lobbying and political campaign

11. The Electoral College 538 electors
Equals number of representatives/senators + 3 who represent Washington DC
A candidate needs 270 votes to win
Each states number of electors is same as representatives/senators
constitutional

12. Suffrage Expansion
Early years Landed White men; religious qualifications
Early 1800s --- Landed White Men
1870 – 15th Amendment – cannot deny based on race, or previous servitude
1920 – 19th Amendment – cannot deny based on gender
1960s – civil rights acts
1971 – 26th Amendment – lower voting age to 18

13. The Road for African Americans and the Right to Vote
Grandfather Clause
Literacy Test
Poll Tax
Threat/Intimidation
Voting Rights Act of 1965

14. Who Votes? Education Level - #1 predictor Age Race Income
Party Competitiveness

15. Voting Republican Democrat Higher education Older White Wealthier men
Lower education
Younger
Minority
Lower income
women

16. Decisions Issue must be salient – having resonance, being significant
Incumbency – already hold office
Negative campaigns
War/economy

17. Why some do not vote
Lack of efficacy – they do not feel that their voice will make a difference
Voter fatigue – ballots too long
Time zone fallout
Negative campaigns
Registration process
Tuesday after the first Monday in November