Chapter 22-1 Quiz 1. Define general election. 2. Define registration. 3. Besides candidates, what are voters deciding on in a general election? 4. Name 4 qualifications for voting in most states. 5. Who cannot vote even though they meet the qualifications listed in your answer in Question 4?

Chapter 22-1 Quiz 1. Define general election. An election where voters make final decisions on candidates and issues. 2. Define registration. The process of signing up to be a voter. 3. Besides candidates, what are voters deciding on in a general election? Issues.

Chapter 22-1 Quiz 4. Name 4 qualifications for voting in most states. Be a citizen. At least 18 years old. A resident of that state. Registered to vote. 5. Who cannot vote even though they meet the qualifications listed in your answer in Question 4? Mentally incompetent and a convicted felon.

Chapter 22 Voting and Elections

Chapter 22-1 Being a Voter Pre - Test

Section Preview 1. Explain the purpose of general elections. 2. Describe how and when elections are held, and who may vote in them. 3. Explore the importance of becoming an informed voter.

Two Types of Elections 1. Primary elections or “primaries” Nominate (name) candidates by political party Nominate (name) candidates by political party 2. General elections Voters make final decisions on candidates and issues Voters make final decisions on candidates and issues Choose candidate Choose candidate For federal, state and local offices For federal, state and local offices Decide issues Decide issues Initiatives Initiatives Referendums Referendums Recalls Recalls

Voting Registration Registration – sign up to vote Registration – sign up to vote To avoid voter fraud To avoid voter fraud At least 29 days prior to election day At least 29 days prior to election day In Colorado In Colorado

When Do We Vote? Tuesday after the first Monday in November Tuesday after the first Monday in November All federal and most state and local general elections All federal and most state and local general elections In Colorado In Colorado even-numbered years even-numbered years general election for federal and state candidates general election for federal and state candidates ballot issues ballot issues odd-numbered years odd-numbered years statewide fiscal ($) issues only statewide fiscal ($) issues only local elections local elections

Absentee Voting Voting by mail Voting by mail Request absentee ballot by mail Request absentee ballot by mail before election day before election day Ballot mailed to you Ballot mailed to you Fill it out and mail it back Fill it out and mail it back

Absentee Voting Rate

Go to Polling Stations Go to Polling place – neighborhood location where you actually vote Go to Polling place – neighborhood location where you actually vote assigned when you register to vote assigned when you register to vote serves local precinct (<1000 voters) serves local precinct (<1000 voters) officials check to see if you’re registered officials check to see if you’re registered hand you a ballot which you mark in a booth hand you a ballot which you mark in a booth insert ballot into a reader insert ballot into a reader

Basics of Voting Wise voting requires that you be informed Wise voting requires that you be informed Who are the candidates? Who are the candidates? What are their qualifications? What are their qualifications? What is their background? What is their background? Where do they stand on the issues important to you? Where do they stand on the issues important to you?

Basics of Voting Sources of Information Sources of Information All media outlets All media outlets Newspapers, internet sites, TV advertisements, radio Newspapers, internet sites, TV advertisements, radio Public Service organizations print pamphlets Public Service organizations print pamphlets Example: League of Women Voters Example: League of Women Voters Candidates themselves Candidates themselves Candidate debates on TV Candidate debates on TV Best source of information Best source of information

Reasons For NOT Voting Candidates are all the same Candidates are all the same Candidates won’t be effective in making changes Candidates won’t be effective in making changes My vote won’t matter My vote won’t matter

Chapter 22-2 How Candidates and Groups Try to Influence Your Vote

Section Preview 1. Ways that candidates get their message to voters. 2. Role played by interest groups in elections. 3. Ways candidates and interest groups try to influence the way people vote. 4. The importance of the media in election campaigns.

Candidate Campaign Messages Different methods used to attract your vote Different methods used to attract your vote Depends upon the office they seek Depends upon the office they seek Depends upon the number of votes required Depends upon the number of votes required Political Promotional materials Political Promotional materials Posters, bumper stickers Posters, bumper stickers Buttons, pins, caps Buttons, pins, caps Leaflets, flyers Leaflets, flyers Personal Appearances Personal Appearances Meet voters directly Meet voters directly Mostly local elections Mostly local elections

Candidate Campaign Messages Direct Mail Direct Mail Mailing specific messages directly to voters Mailing specific messages directly to voters Targets voters with special interests Targets voters with special interests Contact large numbers of voters Contact large numbers of voters Advertisements through the media Advertisements through the media Expensive Expensive Short – focus on personality, not qualifications Short – focus on personality, not qualifications Slogans, “sound bites” Slogans, “sound bites”

Interest Groups Independent political groups that try to get votes Independent political groups that try to get votes that will help them carry out their own agendas; that will help them carry out their own agendas; They also work to pass/defeat ballot measures. They also work to pass/defeat ballot measures. IG’s run separate campaigns & provide volunteers IG’s run separate campaigns & provide volunteers Lobbyist are representatives of interest groups Lobbyist are representatives of interest groups

Interest Group Campaign Messages Political Action Committees (PACs) Political Action Committees (PACs) Endorse candidates Endorse candidates Give large amounts of money to campaigns Give large amounts of money to campaigns Direct Mail Direct Mail Advertising in media Advertising in media What are Super PACs? What are Super PACs? What are the criticisms of Special Interests/PACs? What are the criticisms of Special Interests/PACs? ml ml

Political Action Committees

Top PAC Contributors National Association of Realtors $3.04M 2. National Automotive Dealers Assoc.$2.38M 3. National Beer Wholesalers Assoc.$2.36M 4. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers$2.29M 5. Association of Trial Lawyers$2.13M 6. Credit Union National Association$2.02M 7. National Association of Home Builders$1.98M 8. American Bankers Association$1.97M 9. United Parcel Service$1.91M 10. American Telephone & Telegraph(AT&T)$1.77M By total contributions to candidates

Propaganda Techniques # 5 Propaganda - Messages meant to influence people’s ideas or actions in a certain way # 5 Propaganda - Messages meant to influence people’s ideas or actions in a certain way Distorts the truth, tells one side Distorts the truth, tells one side Is biased, favors one point of view Is biased, favors one point of view Tend to appeal to one’s feelings and emotions Tend to appeal to one’s feelings and emotions

Propaganda Techniques-P Glittering Generalities Use words/phrases that appeal to everyone “I stand for freedom and the American way.” “I stand for freedom and the American way.” 2. Card Stacking Use only the facts that support your position “ My opponent voted against raising Social Security.” 3. Plain Folks You’re ordinary just like the voters with similar needs/ideas “I’ve lived here all my life. My children go to the same schools as your children.”

Propaganda Techniques 4. Name Calling Attach negative labels to your opponent “He’s soft on crime.” 5. Bandwagon Appeal to the desire to follow or join the crowd “ Polls show that 80% of voters support me.” 6. Transfer Connect yourself to a respected person, group, symbol “Remember the words of Abraham Lincoln…”

Media During an Election Election News Election News Information about what a candidate says and does Information about what a candidate says and does Free of bias – favoring one point of view Free of bias – favoring one point of view How to tell How to tell Play up negative side of a candidate Play up negative side of a candidate More time and space given for one than another candidate More time and space given for one than another candidate Editorials Editorials Express their opinions on ballot measures and candidates Express their opinions on ballot measures and candidates Are always biased Are always biased

Media During an Election Opinion Polls Opinion Polls Which candidate or ballot measures are favored Which candidate or ballot measures are favored What issues are most important to most people What issues are most important to most people Use population samples – representative of us all Use population samples – representative of us all Samples are chosen randomly, by chance Samples are chosen randomly, by chance Television has big impact – reaches large numbers Television has big impact – reaches large numbers Shapes the way campaigns are run Shapes the way campaigns are run Some argue TV marginalizes the campaign Some argue TV marginalizes the campaign Focus on ratings, not major issues Focus on ratings, not major issues Use sound-bites – catch your attention, not to inform Use sound-bites – catch your attention, not to inform Cable (PBS, CSPAN) is better than commercial networks Cable (PBS, CSPAN) is better than commercial networks

Chapter 22-3 Campaigning for Office

Section Preview 1. Ways that campaigns are planned and managed. 2. How campaigns are financed. 3. What factors help people win elections. 4. What is the role of the Electoral College in presidential elections?

Campaign Organization Campaign Manager Campaign Manager Develops broad outline of campaign goals Develops broad outline of campaign goals Travel, issues to focus on, image to project Travel, issues to focus on, image to project Heads other staff members Heads other staff members Speechwriters, fundraising Speechwriters, fundraising Advance staff – coordinate crowds, timing of appearances Advance staff – coordinate crowds, timing of appearances Subordinate leaders – heads of volunteers Subordinate leaders – heads of volunteers Pollsters Pollsters What do people think of the candidate? What do people think of the candidate? What issues should the campaign focus on? What issues should the campaign focus on? How effective is the campaign in regions, among voters? How effective is the campaign in regions, among voters?

Campaign Organization Press Secretary Press Secretary Makes sure the media reporting is positive Makes sure the media reporting is positive Shows the candidate in the best light Shows the candidate in the best light Distributes the campaign “message” Distributes the campaign “message” Copies of speeches and policy positions Copies of speeches and policy positions Go negative? – say bad things about opponent Go negative? – say bad things about opponent Media Advisors Media Advisors Plan advertising strategies Plan advertising strategies Image and style versus issues and ideas Image and style versus issues and ideas

Campaign Organization Campaign Financing Campaign Financing No money, no campaign No money, no campaign How much is enough? How much is enough? 2008 election 2008 election Average House candidate - $711,000 Average House candidate - $711,000 Average Senate candidate - $2.4M Average Senate candidate - $2.4M Sources Sources Individuals, political party, Political Action Committees (PACs) Individuals, political party, Political Action Committees (PACs)

Campaign Financing Federal Election Commission (FEC) oversees fundraising Federal Election Commission (FEC) oversees fundraising Individuals limited to giving $2500 Individuals limited to giving $2500 Some argue only the wealthy can run for office Some argue only the wealthy can run for office Incumbents - one who already holds the office he’s Incumbents - one who already holds the office he’s running for running for Have the advantage in name recognition Have the advantage in name recognition Have a record to run on Have a record to run on Update: n_I_contribute Update: n_I_contribute n_I_contribute n_I_contribute

Presidential Riddle How can a presidential candidate like Bill Clinton (in 1992) win only 43% of the popular vote and still become president? How can a presidential candidate like Bill Clinton (in 1992) win only 43% of the popular vote and still become president? In 1996, he won it again with 49% of the popular vote. What’s up with that??? In 1996, he won it again with 49% of the popular vote. What’s up with that??? Answer: He won in the electoral college! Answer: He won in the electoral college!

Electoral College Electors are from the states Electors are from the states Electors choose the President Electors choose the President Numbers of electors = # of senators & representatives Numbers of electors = # of senators & representatives Colorado has 9 electors Colorado has 9 electors Total = 538 ( from DC) Total = 538 ( from DC) Candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win Candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win Each elector has one vote for presidential candidate Each elector has one vote for presidential candidate Electors promise to vote for a particular candidate Electors promise to vote for a particular candidate Are not required to, by law, but most do Are not required to, by law, but most do Results tend to agree with the popular vote by the voters Results tend to agree with the popular vote by the voters Did not in 1824, 1876, 1888 & 2000 elections Did not in 1824, 1876, 1888 & 2000 elections