Elections & Campaigns

Congressional Elections Held every two years on even-numbered years Aka Mid-Term Elections Low voter turnout Incumbents - currently holding office Generally win elections due to low voter turn out, success in office, or good campaigning, duck responsibility Coattail Effect Weak or less known candidates win based on success of popular presidential candidate through party affiliation NO FEDERAL FUNDING

Presidential Elections Held every four years—more competitive Two major parties receive federal funding in general election Phases of Presidential Candidacy: Getting mentioned Primaries and Caucuses Nominating Conventions General Election Electoral College

Primaries and Caucuses Historically, state and party leaders met and chose nominee Very few states use caucuses Iowa’s caucus is the first major electoral event usually determining the presidential candidate for each party Primaries Voters from primary states vote for the party nominee State delegates throw support toward primary vote winner Most commonly used method

General Election Electoral College

Elections & Campaigning Position Issues Issue which divides voters and candidates have opposing views Examples: Abortion: pro-choice or pro-life Marriage: man/woman or heterosexual/homosexual Valence Issues Universally shared views and voters determine which candidate is more likely to address/solve Campaigns have recently concentrated more on valence issues Low unemployment Low crime

Elections & Campaigning Television Paid advertisement - spots News broadcasts - visuals Debates Televised or town hall Gain exposure, usually for lesser-knowns Could lead to showcase flaws Direct Mail/Internet Lists used to direct specific issue-based ads to specific demographics Useful to earn campaign funds Nixon - Kennedy Debate 1960

Campaign Finance

Campaign Finance Reform Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) and 1974 Amendments Established Federal Election Commission (FEC) Limits on individual contributions—limited to $1000 to any candidate in any election year No limit on what an individual candidate can contribute unless accept federal funding (Buckley v. Valeo 1976) Funding in Presidential Primaries Raise 5000 in 20 states of 250 or less Funding in Presidential elections Led to the Creation of PACs

PACs PACs Must register 6 months in advance At least 50 contributors Give to at least 3 candidates Not exceed $5,000 per candidate per election Not exceed $15,000 to national political party

Campaign Finance Reform Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA)/ McCain-Feingold Act Banned soft money to national parties prohibits corporations and labor unions from funding electioneering communications Restricted PAC campaign ads Increased individual contributions to 2000 527 organization Non-profit, tax-exempt political committee May not campaign directly for candidate or political party May address issue or character of a candidate Publicly disclose finances and donors

Campaign Finance Reform Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) Overturned restriction on corporation and union contributions allowing unlimited financial support for campaign support ads (cannot limit independent expenditures) Ruled unconstitutional based on First Amendment freedom of speech Super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates must report their donors to FEC prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates

What decides an election?

Voting Based on Political Party Party affiliation arguably the primary determinant for a voter Most voters are Democrats, but not as firmly dedicated Republicans successful with independents and moderates and have higher voter turnout

Voting Based on the Issues Prospective Voting Vote based on information of issues and candidates Ex. Pro-life citizen votes for Bush over Gore in 2000 Retrospective Voting Vote based on past events whether successful or failed Ex. The economy suffered during Bush’s (R) administration hurting McCain’s (R) campaign against Obama (D) in 2008

Voting Based on the Campaign Reawakens partisan loyalties of voters Provides voters chance to witness how candidates handle the spotlight and responsibility Allows voters to judge a candidate’s character and values

Voting Based on a Coalition Democrats Strong loyalties among blacks and Jews However, limited popular contribution Moderate support among most Hispanics Low voter turnout Catholics and unions divided Republicans Strong loyalties among business people and professionals Moderate support among farmers and conservatives Farmers can switch based on economy

Results of Elections Deviating Election Critical/Realigning Election Minority power wins with support of new voters, but voters maintain traditional loyalties Usually temporary due to current issues or events Critical/Realigning Election Minority power wins majority with new voter coalition and maintains subsequent power Occurs due to serious or extreme conditions and events 1800, 1828, 1860, 1896, 1932 Dealigning Election/Party Dealignment Voters less dependent on partisan loyalties Split-ticket voting Divided govt.