How to Become President (in 5 not-so-easy steps) Sections 4 & 5

Step Zero: Be a Good Candidate Someone the party believes can win Well known, not controversial State governors are a good choice

Step One: Start a Campaign Form an exploratory committee Raise money Announce your candidacy

Step Two: Win the Primaries Winner-take-all Proportional representation Caucuses: the oddballs in Iowa Raise more money

Step Three: Get Nominated Go to the national convention – Keynote Address – Party Platform – Accept nomination Raise more money

Step Four: Campaign Appeal to swing voters in battleground states Debate your opponent Raise more money

Step Five: The Election 5.1: Popular election – Don’t forget to vote for yourself! 5.2: Electoral college

The Electoral College Senators + representatives = electoral votes Electors are chosen by popular vote – Winner-take-all To become president, you must receive a majority of electoral votes

When Good Elections Go Bad If no one gets a majority of electoral votes, the election is decided by the House of Representatives It is possible to win the popular vote, but lose in the electoral college

2000 Election

2008 Election

2012 Election

Proposed Reforms District plan – 2 electors vote w/ state’s popular vote – Remaining electors vote w/ each district Proportional plan – States electors divided up according to state’s popular vote Direct popular election – Get rid of the electoral college entirely National popular vote plan – State laws require electors to vote for the winner of the popular vote