Explain the Electoral College Process Pump Primer CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 17: CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS

LO 17.1 Give a brief description of how a person becomes a candidate. List the methods used to nominate a candidate LO 17.2 Describe how the coattail effect influences elections. Describe the media’s impact on political campaigns. Objectives CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

LO 17.3 Briefly explain what takes place on Election Day. State the basic voting requirements. Identify the different methods of voting. LO 17.4 Explain why the Federal Election Commission was established and briefly state what it does. Describe the effects of political action committees on campaign finance. Objectives CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Christians are to be a light unto man in all areas, even in political positions. Matt. 5:13; Mk. 9:50; Col. 3:12-17; I John 3:18 Biblical Integration CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

CANDIDATE NOMINATION

Nomination - naming candidates for public office Incumbent - the current officeholder Definitions p. 349CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Staff, Strategy, and Primary Campaigning Trusted senior advisors Citizen volunteers Paid consultants Development of a strategy pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Methods of Nomination Petition Independent Announcement Write-in candidates Caucus Not used often today pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Methods of Nomination Convention Direct primary Closed primary Open primary Blanket primaries no longer used pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

an election used to fill an elective office General Election p. 352CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

The Congressional Campaign Over 90% of incumbents are reelected Tend to draw fewer voters pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Incumbents Have many advantages Opponents must begin campaigning well in advance pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Coattail Effect A strong candidate at the top of the ticket attracts votes for members of his party running for lower offices Examples Straight ticket voting pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

A successful political campaign today will take advantage of the media as much as possible. pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Television The “one-eyed monster” Importance of superficial factors Televised debates Paid advertisements “Free media” pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Internet and Social Media Candidate websites Raising funds pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

ELECTIONS AND VOTING

Federal Elections Most election laws are state laws Constitution addresses the election of president, vice president, congressmen Congress establishes the date of congressional elections pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Election Day Getting supporters to their polling places Watching the results pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

The Voter Registration: official enrollment to vote Requirements vary by state “Motor Voter Law” Profile Changed over time Geography, gender, age, religion, etc. pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Methods of Voting Historical Originally by voice The choice of voting method varies by state Paper Ballots Mechanical-Lever Machines pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Methods of Voting Electromechanical Machines Punch Cards 2000 election controversy Optical Scan pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Methods of Voting Touch Screens Problems Voting by Mail Absentee voters Internet Voting Controversy pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

CAMPAIGN FINANCE

Federal Laws Hard money Soft money Political action committees (PACs) Presidential Election Campaign Fund pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Federal Laws Federal Election Campaign Act Candidates can qualify for federal money Independent expenditures pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

The Buckley v. Valeo Case (1976) Supreme Court struck down parts of Federal Election Campaign Act Individuals’ and committees’ donations could still be limited If a candidate voluntarily accepts public financing, he must accept spending limits pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

State Laws Vary from state to state Federal law still takes precedence in certain areas pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Problems Funding Inflation Federal Election Commission (FEC) Decisions cannot be quickly reached Incumbents Built-in advantages pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Problems Discouragement of Grass-Roots Politics Reform Winners and Losers Incumbents benefit Media benefits Conservative and Christian organizations could be the losers pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Reform Areas receiving attention McCain-Feingold Bill Details Controversy Called the “Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002” (BCRA) pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Reform Law Bush signed BCRA on March 27, 2002 Details Flaws Lawsuit Supreme Court struck down parts of BCRA in January 2010 pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Campaign-finance reform debates continue, as money has become a dominating force in the political arena. pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Praying for one’s country and voting for candidates who uphold Christian principles are important. Does the Lord want you to do more? pp CHAPTER 17AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Campaign Finance -- Stossel in the Classroom. YouTube.com 26 Jan Web. 8 Aug Does your Dec vote count The Electoral College explained - Christina Greer. Youtube.com 1 Nov Web. 8 Dec New Media- Campaign Money. YouTube.com. 17 Apr Web. 8 Aug Primary Elections Explained. YouTube.com. 13 Feb Web. 8 Aug Works Cited