1. 10.5
Financing Election Campaigns

2. $$$$ Today: Candidates are more independent than they were in the past
Money plays a big part
Campaigns are expensive

3. How expensive? 2012 $6 billion spent On average House = $1.5 million
Senate = $9.7 million

4. ???? Hard to compete More time spent raising $4 rather than working
Do big campaign donors get better treatment?

5. Campaign Donations
2 Strategies
Electoral Strategy
Access Strategy

6. Electoral
Donors use $$ to help elect candidates who support their views and to defeat those who do not
Goal: Lawmakers will vote as the donor wishes

7. Access
Donors give $$ to the most likely winner in an election regardless of political party.
If the race is close they might donate to both parties.
Goal: Gain access to whichever party wins the election

8. But…..
No promises…..
$$$
Favors
No bribes allowed!!!

9. Where does the $$ come from?
Mostly private sources
Some wealthy candidates can fund their own campaigns
Most ask for donations

10. From who? Individual citizens = direct mail Fundraisers How much?
$2500 = primary
$2500 = general election

11. PAC Important source of $$ Unions, corporations, interest groups
PAC contributions = $5000
$5000

12. Public Funds
A few states allow the use of public funds for governor and state lawmakers
At federal level only presidential candidates can use public funds

13. Where does $$ come from? Income tax return Check a box
Donate to campaigns $3

14. To qualify…
Raise $5000 in each of 20 states in small contributions of $250 or less
Purpose: encourage candidates to rely on small contributions from average voters

15. The Catch…. Candidates must agree to limit their campaign spending
Many are hesitant to accept public funds
Why???

16. Future? Uncertain Taxpayers donations are down
Candidates don’t want to limit their funds

17. Federal Election Commission
1974
Enforce laws to limit campaign contributions
FEC = requires candidates to keep records of donations ……….

18. And make it public
You can see names of all donors who contribute $200 or more to any candidates running for office

19. Campaign $$ 1980s & 1990s $$$$ = up
Interest groups found “loopholes” for more contributions

20. More reform 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act McCain-Feingold Act
Attempt to solve 2 problems

21. Soft Money Unregulated $$donated to a political party for a purpose.
Ex: Voter education
Not supposed to be used for campaigns….it was…..

22. BCRA Bans use soft money in individual election campaigns
Limits how much soft money an individual can contribute to a party
Money must be used as intended

23. Issue Ads
Political ads that are funded and produced by interest groups rather than election campaigns
Focus on an issue rather than the candidate

24. Problem Not regulated by campaign finance laws “Disguised” campaign ad
Presents an issue……names the opposition as “bad”…..
Attempt to influence the voter

25. BCRA Bans these ads 60 days before an election
Is it restriction of Free Speech????
Can be banned if the ads is bias against an opponent

26. Also……….. “Stand by your ad” rule
Candidate must take responsibility for their campaign commercials
2004 = candidates require to appear in ad and endorse the content

27. 527 committees Side effect of reform
Growth of organizations formed under section 527 of the tax code
Not tied to any political party or candidate
Allowed to raise and spend as much $$ as they want (support or oppose)

28. Super PACs Big backers of candidates Accept unlimited donations
But…cannot coordinate with candidates or directly fund campaigns

29. 2010 Citizens United v Federal Election Commission
Court ruled = Under 1st “A”….. the government can not limit corporate political spending in candidate elections

30. And……………. Speechnow.org v FEC
Court ruled that the government cannot limit contributions of groups that do not directly contribute to candidates
Freedom of speech

31. 10.6
Voter Behavior

32. Elections Important in a democracy Citizens participate
Officials must be accountable

33. Elections
Difference between a democracy and a dictatorship

34. So……
Why don’t people vote??????
2/3 of Americans who can vote….do not

35. Why????
Too busy
Not feeling well
Not interested

36. 3 differences between voters & non-voters
Age
Education
Income

37. Age % of people who vote varies among different age groups
Most voters are over 30….and then increases
Declines at 75

38. Youth vs Older
2008
Slightly under half of all those in age group voted
Over 72% of those in the age group voted

39. Education College graduates vote more than high school dropouts 2008
75% vs 33%
Why do you think?

40. Income Middle class & wealthy vote more than those living in poverty
Is this linked to “income & education” or are there other barriers?

41. Choosing Voters look to 3 things Party Issues
Candidate characteristics

42. Party
Political party
Critical
Many voters align themselves to a party

43. Issues Similar to own views
Especially important when the voter is more independent
“swing voter”

44. Candidate Characteristics
Personal characteristics
Appearance
“friendly”
“trustworthy”
“presidential”
Experience

45. Incumbent Candidate who is already holding office
Votes tend to vote for the incumbent
Unless they have done poorly
Why?
Reliable
Experienced
Familiar

46. Non Voting
Problem
2 ways to look at it

47. Negative People are denied representation in government
Government does not serve their needs

48. Positive Basic level of satisfaction in government
Happy with how things are running
No need to make the effort to vote

49. Check 10.5 How do candidates fund their campaigns?
What are some “rules” about campaign money?
10.6
What are 3 factors between voters and non voters?
What 3 things do voters tend to look at in a candidate?