Chapter 7 The Electoral Process

Section 1 The Nominating Process A Critical 1st Step Nomination- naming of those who will seek office Prime function of political parties Impact on the right to vote Nomination process General Elections- make final selection of office holder

A Critical First Step During the process voters are narrowing the field of candidates before the general election 5 different ways to nominate candidates

Ways to Nominate Self-Announcement Caucus Oldest form Found mainly in small towns and rural communities Person running announces the decision to run Unhappy with party’s choice Failed to win nomination Write in candidates Group of like minded people who meet to select candidates Originally closed meetings As parties developed they took over the process As U.S. grew it wasn’t a true representation Jackson, Clay and J. Q. Adams boycotted it.

Ways to Nominate Convention Took over after Caucus failed Anti-Masons were the first in 1831 All major party nominees have been chosen by convention ever since

Ways to Nominate Direct Primary Closed Primary Open Primary Only declared party members can vote 26 states and D.C. use this method Voters register which party they are affiliated with Any qualified voter can take vote Private: Ballots for both parties that are being polled Public: Voter must ask for which ballot they want to participate in. Blanket Primary All voters are given the same ballot regardless of party

Closed Primary Advantages Disadvantages Prevents one party from “raiding” the other’s primary to choose a weaker candidate Helps make candidates more responsive to the party Helps make voters more thoughtful Compromises secrecy of the ballot since voters must declare their party Excludes independent voters

Open Primary Advantages Disadvantages Voters are not forced to declare a party in public Open to independent voters Permits raiding Undercuts the concept of party loyalty and responsibility

Direct Primary Runoff Primary In some states a majority is needed to win the nomination If nobody gets the majority then another election will be held with the top 2 vote getters from the original election

Direct Primary Nonpartisan Primary School and municipal positions Candidates are not identified by party labels

Direct Primary Evaluation Voter turnout is half of what a general election is Long ballots, having to declare party, not being able to declare a party, etc. Campaigns can be expensive Well qualified people choose not to run Creates division in party Close contest can divide

Direct Primary Presidential Primary Only one part of the nominating process States can choose delegates who go to the national convention And/or voters choose contenders for their parties nomination

Petition For those who are not nominated by a major party Usually at the local level Potential candidate needs to get a certain amount of signatures on their petition, required by state law The higher the position, the more signatures needed

Section 2 Elections “Don’t Vote? Don’t Complain!”

Administration of Elections Democracy only works if elections are free, honest and accurate. Laws about qualifications, registration and provisions for direct primary protect the integrity of voting

Administration of Elections Extent of Federal Control Most election law is state law Constitution allows Congress to set times and dates for elections Tues. after 1st Monday in November of even numbered years Require secret ballots Voting rights for people Regulate campaign practices Money

Administration of Elections When Elections are held Most states follow the day set by the fed. Gov’t Prevents elections from fall on Sunday (Church and State) Keeps elections from falling on the 1st of the month (payday) No pressure from campaingns

Administration of Elections Early Voting Absentee voting- unable to get to regular polling places Ill or disabled Expecting to be away (business, college, vacation, etc) Serving in Armed Forces Mark the ballot, seal it and return to proper official

Administration of Elections Early Voting (Continued) 1/3 of states allow early voting More convenient Cast ballots over a period of days

Administration of Elections The Coattail Effect When a strong candidate attracts voters to other candidates on a party’s ticket Can also have a reverse effect Keeps people more involved

Precincts and Polling Places Precinct- a voting district Smallest geographic units for conducting elections Size = between 500 to 1,000 qualified voters Polling place- place where the voters vote Precinct board supervises the process County clerk or board draws lines, fixes voting locations and picks members of the precinct board

Precinct and Polling Places Board makes sure ballot machines/boxes are available Check to make sure only qualified voters vote Both parties have watchers May challenge any person who they think is not a qualified voter

Casting the Ballot Ballot- device by which a voter registers a choice Secret ballot

Casting the Ballot 5 types of ballots Australian Ballot Printed at public expense Lists the names of all candidates Given out only at the polls Marked in secret

Casting the Ballot Office Group Ballot (Massachusetts ballot) Candidates for an office are grouped together under the title of the office Used to be alphabetical but now rotated Party-Column Ballot (Indiana Ballot) Each party’s candidates are listed in a column under the party’s name Often time there is a marker to vote for all of the party members Politicians favor this ballot

Casting the Ballot Sample Ballots Bedsheet Ballots Handed out before an election Mailed, printed in newspapers Bedsheet Ballots Long list of candidates Vote for as many offices as possible = more democratic Vary American type of ballot

Voting Machines and Innovations Thomas Edison had 1st patent for voting machine Electronic vote counting (EDP) Punch card ballots Marked with ink (scantron)

Voting Machines and Innovations Vote by Mail Elections Ballot is sent to you, you vote, then mail it back Usually local elections Oregon now holds all elections by mail Some fear it goes against the secret ballot Some say it is the most fraud proof Better voter turnout

Voting Machines and Innovations Online voting Fear of hackers, viruses, lack of access, fraud