Concentrated interest vs dispersed interest Interest groups, PACS, and Iron Triangles Campaign Finance- dark money Propaganda Political Parties

Could it also be the system that is moving the politician away from the center?

Election Year Events and their impact on the Median Voter

Election year events January- June Primaries throughout each state Closed- only registered party members can vote Open – all registered voters can vote Summer- nomination conventions, introduction of candidate, platform and planks Summer and Fall- Campaigns/Ads/speeches/propaganda October- Debates Tuesday after the first Sunday in November- General Election Winner take all in 48 states December- electoral vote January- Inauguration

Electoral College (review) Winner takes all in most states (48/50) 270/538 electoral votes needed to win (majority) If 270 isn’t obtained - a run-off election between top two vote getters It is nearly impossible for a 3 rd party candidate to win however there can be a spoiler effect We have evolved into a 2 party system Leads to stability – but limits options

Individuals responds to incentives Free choice forces self regarding people to be others regarding

5.10 Does our voting system concentrate political power? 5.13 To what extent do officials respond to feedback?

I.

Johnstown PA

? Using your knowledge explain if the median voter theorem supports or detracts the idea that the center seems under represented?

If every state had open primaries what do you think would be the results? Consider: Type of candidates Type of voters Party influence Would the center be better represented? Why or why not?

Can a voter game the system? ABCD Assume it is an open primary election between candidates D,C, and B. You are a supporter for candidate A and feel that candidate A has a good chance of winning against all opponents except for the more moderate candidate B. Who would you vote for? Why? If on the other hand, you feel that candidate A is weak and may lose the general election against any opponent, who should you vote for? Why?

Can a voter game the system? ABCD Assume it is an open primary election between candidates D,C, and B. A supporter for candidate A feels that their candidate has a good chance of winning against all opponents except for the more moderate candidate B. It might be a wise for the voter to vote for candidate C or D in order to help C or D win the primary. This may make it easier for A to win the general election. If on the other hand, supporters for A feel that candidate A is weak and may lose the general election against any opponents, then it would be wise to cast a vote for candidate B in order to have an opponent that share similar views.

Spoiler Effect/Vote Splitting The spoiler effect is the effect of vote splitting between candidates or ballot questions with similar ideologies. One spoiler candidate's presence in the election draws votes from a major candidate with similar politics thereby causing a strong opponent of both or several to win. The minor candidate causing this effect is referred to as a spoiler

Front runners As of 12/8/15 Not running, dropped out, or are struggling to gain support ngtonpost.com/fi ndthebest- /every candidate- from_b_ html

ngtonpost.com/fi ndthebest- /every candidate- from_b_ html

Bernie Sanders Hillary Clinton Martin O’Malley Chris Christie Rand Paul Ben Carson John Kasich Donald Trump Jeb Bush Carly Fiorina Marco Rubio Ted Cruz _polls/president/ Leaders- % of vote Clinton – as of 12/7/15 very large lead (54) Sanders (36) O’Malley (4) Leaders- % of vote Trump- large lead (27) Carson- (15) Cruz- (13) Rubio- (14) Others- Jeb Bush 3 If Hillary Clinton won the democratic nomination would a decision by Bernie Sanders to run as a 3 rd party candidate hurt Clinton? Why? Of the 4 candidates in red, if one of the candidates decided to run as a 3 rd party, who would have the biggest impact on the election? Why?

Individuals responds to incentives. Free choice forces self regarding people to be others regarding Connect what was covered in this lesson to the enduring understanding above.

5.10 Does our voting system, specifically primaries, concentrate political power? 5.13 To what extent do officials respond to feedback?

Stay Tune... We will look at alternative voting systems in a future lesson.