1. The Electoral Process
Chapter Seven

3. The Nominating Process

4. The Importance of Nominations
The nominating process is important because the United States has a strong two-party system, which means that there are usually only two viable candidates for any office
There are five major ways in which nominations can be made

5. 1. Self-Announcement
Self-announcement is the oldest form of the nominating process
It is often used by people running in small towns or rural areas
It is also used by people at higher levels who fail to get their party’s nomination or are unhappy with its choice

6. 2. The Caucus
A caucus is a group of like-minded people that meets to select the candidates it will support in an upcoming election
Early caucuses were private meetings made up of a few influential figures
Caucuses are still used to make local nominations in some areas, but they are now open to all members of a party

7. 3. The Convention
Nominating conventions were first used in the 1830s and quickly caught on as the only way to select presidential candidates
In each local area, party members elect delegates to represent them at county conventions; county conventions elect delegates to State conventions;

8. The Convention Cont.
State conventions elect delegates to the national convention who select the party’s presidential and vice-presidential nominees
The process was corrupted by party bosses and fell out of favor in the late 1800s

9. 4. The Direct Primary
The direct primary is an election held within a party to pick the party’s candidates for the general election
The Closed Primary – in a closed primary only declared party members can vote to decide which candidate the party will support

10. The Direct Primary Cont.
The Open Primary – in an open primary any qualified voter may vote to decide which candidate a party will support
The Closed vs. the Open Primary – Americans make strong arguments for and against both types of primary

11. The Direct Primary Cont.
The Runoff Primary – in States that demand that the winning candidate of each party holds an absolute majority of that party’s votes, runoff primaries are held in which voters must choose between the two top vote-getters

12. The Direct Primary Cont.
The Nonpartisan Primary – most school and municipal officials and, often, State judges, are chosen from ballots that do not identify candidates by party affiliation
Evaluation of the Primary – Primaries are costly and divisive and many voters neither recognize their importance nor inform themselves sufficiently to make wise choices

13. The Direct Primary Cont.
The Presidential Primary – in these elections, voters declare their preference for a particular candidate and/or elect delegates to a party’s national convention

14. 5. Nomination by Petition
At the local level, this process is commonly used for nonpartisan posts
In some States, election laws require that minor-party or independent candidates get a certain number of signatures before they are put on the ballot

15. Elections

16. The Administration of Elections
The Extent of Federal Control
Most election law is State law
Congress sets the time, place, and manner of congressional elections
It has also passed laws designed to protect the right to vote and prevent election fraud

17. The Administration of Elections
When Elections are Held
Most States hold elections for State offices in November of every even-numbered year
Some States hold certain elections at other times, usually in the spring

18. The Administration of Elections
The Coattail Effect
A popular candidate at the top of the ticket helps other candidates from the same party
Some argue that State and local elections should be held at different times than presidential elections in order to lessen this “coattail effect”

19. Precincts and Polling Places
State law restricts the population size of voting districts, or precincts
Precinct election boards ensure that elections are held in an orderly manner, and each political party sends poll watchers to watch for election fraud

20. The Ballot
The Australian Ballot – this secret ballot, printed at public expense and given out only at polling places, was a reform introduced in the late 1800s
The Office-Group Ballot – this form of the Australian ballot groups candidates for each office together

21. The Ballot
The Party-Column Ballot – this form of the Australian ballot lists each party’s candidates in a column under the party’s name
Sample Ballots – clearly marked sample ballots are mailed to voters in many States and appear in newspapers to help the voters prepare for an election

22. Voting Machines and Innovations
Invented by Thomas Edison, voting machines were first used in 1892
Electronic Vote Counting – Electronic data processing techniques are now in use in many States
Vote-by-Mail elections – mail-in ballots are allowed in some local elections, and on at least one occasion, in elections for national office as well

23. Money and the Election Process

24. Campaign Spending Amounts
Observers estimate that about $750 million was spent on the 1996 presidential election
Money is used for many purposes – staff and office costs, polling, television time, and so forth

25. Sources of Campaign Funding
Private Givers – the candidates themselves, individual citizens, PACs, and temporary campaign organizations all contribute money to political campaigns
Why People Give – Some give to support candidates and policies they believe in; others want access to government in return for their financial support

26. Regulating Campaign Finance
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) – the FEC is an independent agency whose members set limits on campaign contributions and spending, require prompt disclosure of campaign finance data, and administer public funds for part of the presidential election process

27. Regulating Campaign Finance
Disclosure Requirements – Strict laws govern who can contribute to political campaigns, how much each person can give, and how campaign funds may be spent
The Role of PACs – PACs, which have grown rapidly in recent years, may contribute up to $5,000 to any presidential candidate

28. Regulating Campaign Finance
Limits on Contributions – Federal law limits contributions by individuals, unions, national banks, and corporations
Limits on Expenditures – Federal law limits spending in presidential campaigns
Public Funding of Presidential Campaigns – Monies for public funding of campaigns are contributed by individual citizens at income-tax time

29. Regulating Campaign Finance
Preconvention Period – The FEC provides public funds to candidates by matching private, individual contributions
National Conventions – Each party automatically receives a grant of public funds to pay for its national convention
Presidential Campaigns – Major-Party nominees automatically qualify for a public subsidy to cover campaign costs