Campaigns and Elections Lecture 5 American Government and Politics Mitchell College Mr. Chris Sandford

 In the United States, we vote more often and for more offices than citizens in any other Democracy in the World.  Every year we hold thousands of elections for sheriffs, county positions, mayors, etc…  In 2004 alone:  1 President and Vice-President  33 Senators  435 Members of Congress  11 governors  1,000 lower state offices

Rules?  With all of these elections, we have established rules that control them.  Most of these rules/laws are created on the state level.  These rules give guidance and structure to a process that many other countries see as chaotic.

Rules?  Regularly Scheduled Elections  Fixed and Staggered Elections  Term Limited  Amount of $ Spent  Types of Television Ads  Debates  Length of election day  There are many more - this is just a sampling.

Most Important features?  Winner-Takes-All?  What this concept means is that the person who receives the largest number of votes wins the elections - This is what we have in this country.  Single-Member-Districts  This is the system in which we have….it basically means that a voter chooses one person from their respective district.  What is the DOWNSIDE of these?

Proportional Representation  This system allows a political party to have representation in a legislative body based upon the percent of votes that party receives.  So, even though a party might not get the most votes (winner- takes-all) they will have some representation in the government.  What is the UPSIDE of this?

Running for House of Representatives  Every two years all members run.  Downside to every two years?  Primary Race (same party)  Running for the General Election.  Incumbents v. Challengers.  Advantage?  Safe Seats?  Coattails  Midterm Elections

Running for the Senate  Run every 6 years - staggered.  Two from each state.  Incumbents have an unbelievable advantage.  There is often not a primary from your own party.  Very little coattail impact.  There are many safe seats.  The average Senate election costs over $300 Million.

Running for the Presidency  Deciding to run.  Presidential Primaries - for Party Nomination.  National Party Convention.  Party Platform  Vice-President  Presidential debates  Fundraising - all throughout process (read this section in text)  Strategy for Electoral College Win

Electoral College