The Electoral College GOAL: Evaluate the Electoral College system

Electoral College Votes While the candidate’s names are printed on the ballot, the voters are not actually voting directly for the president & vice president. RATHER, THEY ARE VOTING FOR ALL OF THEIR PARTY’S ELECTOR’S IN THEIR STATE.

Electoral College In December these electors will cast the official vote for president & vice president. Thus, a vote for the Democratic candidate is actually a vote for the Democratic electors, and a vote for the Republican candidate is a vote for the Republican electors.

THERE ARE 538 ELECTORS, BECAUSE OF THE NUMBERS OF SENATORS, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, AND ELECTORS IN D.C = 538 THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE IS A WINNER TAKE ALL SYSTEM WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ME & NE.

Electoral College Votes CANDIDATE MUST WIN AVAILABLE ELECTORAL VOTES President pays attention to the bigger states

Electoral College The party whose candidate receives the largest POPULAR VOTES in any state wins all the ELECTORAL VOTES. (270 electoral votes needed) The winning presidential candidate is announced the same evening as the popular vote counts indicate who won each state.

2000 Election – Bush Vs. Gore George W. Bush, Republican, won 271 Electoral votes and 50,456,062 popular votes. (29 states) Al Gore, Democrat, won 266 electoral votes and 50,996,582 popular votes. (22 states)

2004 Election – Bush Vs. Kerry George Bush, Republican, won 286 electoral votes and 62,039,073 popular votes. (32 states) John Kerry, Democrat, won 251 electoral votes and 59,027,478 popular votes. (19 states)

2008 Election – Obama Vs. McCain Barack Obama, Democrat, won 365 electoral votes and 69,456,897 popular votes (historic record). [29 States] John McCain, Republican, won 173 electoral votes and 59,934,814 popular votes. (21 States)

2012 Election – Obama Vs. Romney (predicted electoral map)

Why do we still have the Electoral college?! Small states feel that they would be overwhelmed by the large states. Changing the voting system would require a constitutional amendment. Republicans and Democrats fear that Third party would have a far better chance of winning.

Exit Slip Should we get rid of the Electoral College? Why or why not? List at least one positive and negative for your choice.

Elections and Voting Chapter 17

Electing the President Organize campaigns a year in advance Primary races Lots of traveling Shaking hands Making speeches Giving interviews

Campaign Planning how to capture key states Needs a strong organization Heading the organization is the Campaign Manager – Overall strategy and planning – Television/Image

Financing Campaigns Very expensive 2000-Election costs exceeded 629 million The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971-business organizations and labor unions were prohibited from making direct contributions

Political Action Committees PACS-AN ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO SUPPORT POLITICAL CANDIDATES WITH CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS DELEGATE MONEY TO CANDIDATES FROM THE POLITICAL PARTY

Soft Money? Laws enabling parties to raise unlimited amounts of money for general purposes, not designated to particular candidates Raising huge amounts of money CONTROVERSIAL BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT IS RAISED, AND THE LACK OF ACCOUNTING TO HOW IT IS SPENT

Ceiling on Campaign Spending May accept federal funding Limited to how much they can spend ~165 million from the government Federal Election Committee

Voter’s Handbook Section 2

Qualifications to Vote CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES 18 YEARS OLD Some states require state residency for a specified amount of time

Voting Procedures Vote at polling place in your home precinct You can not be stopped from voting because of race, gender, religion, income, etc. You can be challenged if your registration or identification is in question

Voting Procedures, cont. Early voting Absentee ballot-vote without going to the polls

Influence on Voters Section 3

Personal Background of Voters Age Background influences Loyalty to political parties

Loyalty to Political Parties STRONG PARTY VOTERS (PARTISANS) USUALLY VOTE A STRAIGHT-PARTY TICKET. THIS MEANS THEY VOTE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE SAME PARTY. Why do that? Independent voters are independent of the political parties and usually switch their support for the parties from election to election and may vote for candidates from different parties in a single election. The number of independent voters has increased over the last few decades.

Issues in Election Campaigns People more informed through the media, people better educated, current issues impact the people (REALLY????) The Candidate’s Image-appears to be someone they can trust (or hangout with) Propaganda-involves using ideas, information, or rumors to influence opinion

Profile of Voters Positive attitudes about the government EDUCATION, INCOME, AND AGE ARE IMPORTANT FACTORS IN PREDICTING WHICH CITIZENS WILL VOTE

Profile of Non Voters Some do not meet requirements Percentage of non voters has decreased over the years million non voters Exit Slip: Write 3 ways you would increase voter turnout.