Unit 1: the political Process You and Your Government

Beginning Thoughts U.S. citizens sometimes complain about our government, claiming it has too much power and control over their lives or that their vote doesn’t matter. Why do you think they feel this way? How do you think our government would function if people did not participate?

Presidential Elections and Voting

Determining Candidates How did Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump get on the ballot (especially when people view them so unfavorably)? Why does it seem they are our only choice when there are several other candidates?

Nomination Process: Key Ideas Candidates are chosen in each state through voting in a primary election or caucus – basic rules are established by the political parties The primary method is the most common since only 13 states hold caucuses Candidates are awarded “delegates” based on the outcome of the vote Delegates go to represent their state and vote for their party’s candidate at the national convention the summer prior to the November election Candidates with the most delegates typically win their party’s nomination

Primary Election It is an election held like most other elections Voters go to their polling place Voter eligibility laws apply Voters may only vote on one party’s ballot One person, one vote “Open” Primaries do not require you to be a member of a political party Outcome of the vote awards state delegates to a candidate who will vote at the national nominating convention

Caucus (Iowa plus 12 others) Open meetings of party members held around a state Caucus goers discuss candidates and issues State delegates to the national convention are awarded based on the outcome of all the caucuses

General Election Process American citizens do not directly elect the President – Why? The Electoral College elects the President Key Points on the Electoral College each state has electors whose number is equal to their representation in Congress (Senators + Representatives) – based on population Electors may not hold any other office Electors are appointed by state legislature

Do you think the Electoral College is fair? 538 Electoral Votes possible (based on 535 members of Congress (House plus Senate) plus 3 for D.C. Need 270 to win Voters actually “vote” for electors for their state Electors are tied to their political party’s candidate – they vote for the party, not candidate Ties are decided in the House of Rep Do you think the Electoral College is fair?

The Electoral Map

Electoral College: Problems Winner Take All - Winning a state’s popular vote gives that candidate all that state’s electoral votes (except Nebraska and Maine) possible to win election without winning popular vote Happened in 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000 3rd Party Candidates Almost impossible for one to be elected Can pull votes away from a major party candidate Creates greater possibility of a winner who does not win the popular vote

Administering Elections Federal Election Oversight Date: the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (even # years) Federal Elections Committee (FEC): regulates campaign finance State laws dictate the process for holding the elections Voter qualifications/registration Set up precincts (voting districts) with polling places (where you go vote)

Georgia Voter Qualifications Be a US citizen Be a resident of the county in which you're registering to vote Be at least 17 ½ years old to register and 18 years old to vote Not be serving a sentence (including probation or parole) for conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude Not have been found mentally incompetent by a judge

Election Controversy and Problems Counting votes accurately Requirement of ID cards for eligible voters??? Campaign Finance/Cost to Run Political Action Committee (PAC) $ Interest Group $ Voter Apathy – low voter turn out Determined by a number of factors

POLITICAL PARTIES & VOTER BEHAVIOR

Learning Voter Behavior Conduct public opinion polls Study election results Study political socialization: things that influence how people view their political world and their role within

Why do we vote the way that we do? Sociological Factors (who I am) Income/Profession Education Gender/Age Race/Ethnicity Religion Geography Family/Friends

Why do we vote the way that we do? Psychological Factors (how I think) Candidates Issues Party Identification: biggest predictor!!!!!

Political Parties: What are they? A group that organizes to control govt. by winning elections Group is made up of diverse interests More election-oriented than issue-oriented WHY DO YOU THINK THEY ARE THEY TYPICALLY MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WINNING THAN ISSUES?

American Political Parties They aren’t mentioned in the Constitution and not required so why join?

Political Parties: What do they do? Nominate Candidates-President becomes leader of the party Inform – educate public on issues “Approval” of Candidates – hold them accountable Hold Government Jobs– officials are appointed according to party “Watchdog” – monitor the behavior of “others” in government (typically the other party)

Two-Party System in America – Why? History/Tradition Electoral Process “winner-take-all” system of getting votes Need plurality (most votes) in a state, not majority to win Two parties are enough to represent sides of most major issues Multi-party systems are unstable because parties change when issues change One-party systems are “no party” systems

National Party Structure: Key Parts National Convention: held in Presidential election years Nominates Pres and VP Writes PLATFORM  positions on issues National Committee: runs the party and convention (sets rules) National Chairperson: selected by the committee Promotes unity & raises $ for elections Congressional Campaign Committee: works to increase their party’s membership in Congress

State and Local Organization of Parties State Level: mirrors national organization and seeks to promote party’s interest in the state Local Level: structure varies by state Typical ways: County Congressional district Ward (part of a larger city) Precinct (small voting area)

Categories of Third Parties Any party other than one of the two major parties Three basic categories: Ideological Parties: want change based on basic beliefs Libertarians want to reduce role of government Green Party wants to reform democracy and protect the environment through non-violence Single-Issue Parties: focus on one specific issue Ex. Abolition of abortion, marijuana legalization, animal rights

Minor/Third Parties: Key Points Splinter Parties: break off from major parties due to major disagreements Tea Party: broke off from Republicans because they disagreed with direction of the part (taxes, etc.)

Influence and Success of 3rd Parties Have never won the presidency, but have had some limited success at state and local levels They do have influence: Ideas/Innovation: major parties can adopt their ideas Spoiler Role: take away votes from major candidates Ex. Ross Perot in the 1992 Election Are they a “wasted” vote? Critics/Reformers: bring attention for needed change