1. Participation in Government Johnstown High School Mr. Cox
Elections
Participation in Government
Johnstown High School
Mr. Cox

2. Bellringer Essential Question
To the best of your knowledge, take a guess about what you think the average voter turn out was (# of eligible people who voted) during the last presidential election.
Essential Question
Are the election procedures currently in place in America contradictive of Democracy? Explain.

3. Running for President
Before the process begins, one must either be wealthy, or have supporters willing to financially back your run for the office.
President Obama raised and spent $750 million in 2008

4. Running for President Stage 1: The Nomination Primaries Caucuses
used by:
84% of Democratic Delegates
89% of Republican Delegates
an election held to nominate a candidate for a particular party at a forthcoming election for public office
Caucuses
a private meeting of members of a political party to plan action or to select delegates for a nominating convention

5. Running for President Stage 2: The National Convention
The summer before the election each party meets on the national stage to officially pick the party’s candidate for President and Vice-President
Party Platform – this is where the party delivers a document that states the perspectives on public policy…
Stage 3: The General Election
Presidential Debates – These are televised for viewers in order to help display for the public the differences between the two candidates.

6. The Only Campaign Number That Matters: 270
Number of electors = House + Senate +3 for D.C. =
538 electors
Therefore, any candidate receiving 270 votes or more wins

7. examples CA 29 million 55 electors 1 per 527,272
TX 16 million 34 electors 1 per 470,588
NY 17 million 31 electors 1 per 548,387
AZ 3.5 million 10 electors 1 per 350,000
Alaska 550, electors 1 per 183,333

8. Can a candidate win the popular vote and lose the electoral vote?
Is the Electoral College Undemocratic?
Can a candidate win the popular vote and lose the electoral vote?
The Winner-Take-All system - a candidate winning some states by very small margins in the popular vote and other states by very large margins can win in the electoral college.
In 2000, Gore won popular vote. he lost some states by very small margins (Florida), he lost the electoral vote

9. The Case Against the Electoral College
Pros and Cons
The Case Against the Electoral College
The Winner-Take-All System is undemocratic
Treats voters unequally
Contingency election procedure -undemocratic
Confusing—a direct vote is more simple and understandable

10. The Case for the Electoral College
Tradition – a proven, workable system
State based system makes candidate campaign in all 50 states rather than few populous ones
Gives Presidents an electoral reason for attending to State interests rather than individual interests
Discourages voter fraud
Prevents parties from “running up the score”

11. Prevents uneducated majority from deciding President
Prevents minority or plurality Presidents
Preserves Two-Party System
Discourages third party efforts

12. Money IN Politics Campaign Finance How does money effect elections?
What concerns are there regarding large amounts of $$$$ flowing into an election?
What unintended consequences might arise from this $$$$$$...
Could campaign finance hinder free speech?

13. Essential Question Homework
Are the election procedures currently in place in America contradictive of Democracy? Explain.
Living room candidate worksheet
Homework