1. Chapter 9: Campaigns and Elections The Rules of the Game
AP GOVERNMENT
Chapter 9:
Campaigns and Elections
The Rules of the Game

2. Elections: Rules of the Game
The Constitution sets some electoral conditions and requirements, however, most remain matters of state law.
Regularly scheduled Elections
Cannot be changed by the party in power
Congressional election date?

3. Fixed and Staggered Terms
Representatives, Senators, and Presidents have fixed terms
Not all offices are up for election at the same time
House of Reps are every 2 years and all offices are up for reelection
Only one third of the Senators are up for reelection every 2 years – staggered terms
Senators can run for the presidency without giving up their seats

4. Term Limits 22nd Amendment – President has a 2 term limit
Lame Duck – a candidate who cannot or says they will not run again
Term limits are popular with the people, especially state offices
¾ of all voters favor term limits
17 states have enacted term limits for their state legislatures and even more states limit the term of governors
The Supreme Court decided in U.S. Term Limits Inc. v. Thornton (1995) that a state does not have the constitutional power to impose limits on the number of terms for which its members to the U.S. Congress are eligible

5. Winner Take All Most American elections are based on a plurality
Reinforces moderate and centrist candidates because they are more likely to secure a plurality or majority
A vote for a third party candidate is a “wasted vote” and may help elect the voter’s least desired candidate
Most American electoral districts are single-member districts – in any district voter’s choose one representative or official
Combined with winner take all minor parties can’t win

6. Proportional Representation
Political parties secure legislative seats and power in proportion to the number of votes they receive in the election
Rewards minor parties and permits them to participate in government
Examples: Germany, Israel, and Japan

7. Advantages of Proportional Representation
More accurately reveals the preferences of voters and gives those who do not vote for the winning candidate a sense that they have some influence as a result of their vote
Could encourage greater voter turnout
Encourages issue-oriented campaigns and enhances the representation of women and minorities

8. Disadvantages
Makes it harder to have a clear winner, especially if minor parties are likely to receive representation
It may contribute to political instability and ideological extremism

9. The Electoral College
American Presidents and vice president are elected through this indirect device rather than a national popular vote
Each state has as many electors as it has representatives and senators. (Idaho – 4)
Each state legislature determines how its electors are selected
Each party nominates a slate of electors
Electors are expected to cast their votes for the party’s candidates for pres. and vp
“faithless elector” – does not vote for their state’s popular vote winner

10. No faithless elector has ever cast the deciding vote
The 12th Amendment requires electors to cast separate votes for president and vp
How it works
If you vote for a candidate you are actually voting for that candidates party’s slate of electors
Candidates who win a plurality of the popular vote in a state wins all of the state’s electoral vote (except NE and ME)
Winning electors go to their state capital on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December to cast their votes
Ballots are sent to Congress in January

11. Congress formally counts and declares the winner – majority needed to win (270)
No majority winner
President – the House of Reps. chooses from the top 3 candidates with each state delegation getting 1 vote
2 times – 1800 (Jefferson and Burr) and 1824 (John Q. Adams, Andrew Jackson and William Crawford)
V.P. – the Senate chooses from among the top 2 candidates with each senator casting a vote

12. Winning the popular vote?
The electoral college system makes it possible to receive the most popular vote and not get enough electoral votes to be elected president
Andrew Jackson / John Quincy Adams 1824
Samuel Tilden / Rutherford B. Hayes 1876
Grover Cleveland / Benjamin Harrison 1888
Al Gore / George W. Bush 2000
Trump / Hillary Clinton 2016

13. New Vote doesn’t count Yes
Electoral college concerns arise every time there is a strong third party candidate for pres.
Which Congress casts the vote?
New
What if a state’s delegation is split?
Vote doesn’t count
Is it possible to have president and V.P from different parties?
Yes

14. How to win
A candidate must appeal to voters in populous states like California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio
Battleground States - The closer the election the more emphasis that is given to states in which the race is close even if they are less populated states
Presidential candidates usually don’t waste time campaigning in a state unless they have a fighting chance to win the state or if their party is a sure winner
Nixon was last candidate to campaign in all 50 states (1960)

15. Review Questions Who determines the rules for U.S. elections?
When are elections held in the U.S.?
Explain: fixed term, staggered term, and term limits.
What effect does the winner-take-all rule have on our elections?
What is the electoral college? How important is it?
What are the pros/cons of proportional representation?