1. CH. 13 & 14 STUDENT NOTES 2

2. Step 3: Conventions
TODAY: primaries determine candidates, conventions formally nominate them – delegate still cast votes
Pep rally for party, party unity, speeches, platform

3. SUPERDELEGATES Increase power of party leaders
Role in the nomination process by casting votes; unpledged
Elected members of the DNC
Democratic Governors
Democratic US Senators and US Representatives (including non-voting delegates)
Distinguished (Democratic) party leaders

4. Step 4: Campaigning for the General Election
2 candidates face off from summer to November
APPEAL TO WINNER TAKE ALL FEATURE OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE
General Election: Tuesday after the first Monday in November

5. The Mandate Theory of Elections
The Mandate Theory of Elections is the idea that the winning candidate has a mandate (widespread support) from the people to carry out his or her policies.
Retrospective voting is the idea that incumbents who have provided desired results are rewarded with a new term and those who fail are not reelected. “What have you done for me lately”?

6. VOTER TURNOUT Turnout has DECLINED throughout 20th century
Reasons (requirements) – legal obstacles
registration requirements – Motor Voter Act
registration deadlines
Citizenship
Age
Residency
Closed primary (party ID)
Tuesdays are workday

7. POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
Political Efficacy: belief that ordinary people can influence the government – emotional obstacles
Low in US
DECLINE of TRUST and CONFIDENCE & INCREASED frustration/disgust = less participation from electorate
Why?
Polarization, special interests, scandals
Polarization, gridlock

8. FORMS OF PARTICIPATION
Voting in elections (presidential #1)
Campaigning for a candidate
Supporting social movements
Protests, membership in political organization
Writing to legislators
Campaign contributions
Running for office
Which is more effective?

9. ELECTORAL COLLEGE Voters choose a president indirectly
Composed of electors pledged to one of the candidates
Each state has a number of electoral votes equal to its senators and representatives in Congress
538 total, 270 needed for win
Winner take all in 48 states Current campaign strategy targets populous states with the most electors, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois

10. ELECTORAL COLLEGE

12. Why keep EC? History/tradition Requires constitutional amendment
Benefits small states (more representation)
Benefits large states (more attention)
Favors two-party system

13. CAMPAIGNING: STRATEGY
“Party-centered strategy”
“Issue-oriented strategy”
“Image-oriented strategy” (candidate)
Media campaigns emphasize candidate image.

14. Campaign ads
Political ads, use sounds, images, and factual claims to make arguments and to influence the way that voters feel.
Who is the target audience?
What do they want the audience to think?
What specific tactics did they use in order to influence the audience?
Emotion, persuasion, truth, style, attack ads (going negative)