Elections

Primaries  Prior to the mid 1900s, party leaders chose candidates for elections.  Reformers wished for the public to have a greater role in the nomination process, now almost every state uses a Primary Election.  Prior to the mid 1900s, party leaders chose candidates for elections.  Reformers wished for the public to have a greater role in the nomination process, now almost every state uses a Primary Election.

Caucus v. Primary  In a caucus, people get together, and debate on candidates in a public setting.  In a primary, people simply vote for who they feel is the best candidate.  In a caucus, people get together, and debate on candidates in a public setting.  In a primary, people simply vote for who they feel is the best candidate.

Types of Primaries  Closed Primary – this primary only allows people registered for a party to vote for that parties nominees. Republicans can only vote for Republican candidates, and Democrats can only vote for Democrats. (encourages party loyalty)  Open Primary – Voters decide on election day if they are either republican or democrat, and then vote for their parties nominees.  Blanket Primary – Voters can vote for candidates from both parties.  Closed Primary – this primary only allows people registered for a party to vote for that parties nominees. Republicans can only vote for Republican candidates, and Democrats can only vote for Democrats. (encourages party loyalty)  Open Primary – Voters decide on election day if they are either republican or democrat, and then vote for their parties nominees.  Blanket Primary – Voters can vote for candidates from both parties.

Winning the Primaries  Only very loyal citizens vote in primaries. They tend to be much more liberal or conservative.  New Hampshire and Iowa are the first Primaries and Caucuses. Winning them gives a candidate momentum.  States like to hold their primaries early because primaries held late may not matter it a candidate has such a big lead. This is called Frontloading.  Only very loyal citizens vote in primaries. They tend to be much more liberal or conservative.  New Hampshire and Iowa are the first Primaries and Caucuses. Winning them gives a candidate momentum.  States like to hold their primaries early because primaries held late may not matter it a candidate has such a big lead. This is called Frontloading.

Party Conventions  Nominees for each party are officially announced at the Party Convention. Usually we already know who will win because those people will have already gotten enough delegates to lock up the nomination.  The Conventions are also where political parties set up their platforms  Nominees for each party are officially announced at the Party Convention. Usually we already know who will win because those people will have already gotten enough delegates to lock up the nomination.  The Conventions are also where political parties set up their platforms

Campaign Spending and Reform  Federal Election Reform Act –  Created the Federal Election Commission  Provides public financing for presidential elections  Limited the amount a person could contribute to presidential candidates Buckley v. Valeo – People can contribute as much money to their own campaign that they want  Federal Election Reform Act –  Created the Federal Election Commission  Provides public financing for presidential elections  Limited the amount a person could contribute to presidential candidates Buckley v. Valeo – People can contribute as much money to their own campaign that they want

Soft money  Soft Money is donations to political parties, they were banned by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Act)  527 Groups – A tax-exempt group that is unregulated by the FEC. They can raise as much money as they want, but can't sponsor one candidate.  Soft Money is donations to political parties, they were banned by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Act)  527 Groups – A tax-exempt group that is unregulated by the FEC. They can raise as much money as they want, but can't sponsor one candidate.

Electoral College  The Electoral College chooses the president.  Each state gets delegates to the Electoral College based on how many senators and representatives they have.  The Electoral College chooses the president.  Each state gets delegates to the Electoral College based on how many senators and representatives they have.

Problems with the Electoral College  States use a Winner-take-all system. The person who receives the most votes in the state gets all the states electoral votes. There is no prize for second place. This weakens third parties.  Candidates only campaign in states where polls are close. These are called swing states.  A person could when the majority of the popular vote, but lose the electoral college vote.  States use a Winner-take-all system. The person who receives the most votes in the state gets all the states electoral votes. There is no prize for second place. This weakens third parties.  Candidates only campaign in states where polls are close. These are called swing states.  A person could when the majority of the popular vote, but lose the electoral college vote.

Reasons why the electoral college has not been abolished.  It would take a constitutional amendment to end the electoral college which would be extremly difficult to do.