CH. 13 & 14 STUDENT NOTES 2

Step 3: Conventions TODAY: primaries determine candidates, conventions formally nominate them – delegate still cast votes Pep rally for party, party unity, speeches, platform

SUPERDELEGATES Increase power of party leaders Role in the nomination process by casting votes; unpledged Elected members of the DNC Democratic Governors Democratic US Senators and US Representatives (including non-voting delegates) Distinguished (Democratic) party leaders

Step 4: Campaigning for the General Election 2 candidates face off from summer to November APPEAL TO WINNER TAKE ALL FEATURE OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE General Election: Tuesday after the first Monday in November

The Mandate Theory of Elections The Mandate Theory of Elections is the idea that the winning candidate has a mandate (widespread support) from the people to carry out his or her policies. Retrospective voting is the idea that incumbents who have provided desired results are rewarded with a new term and those who fail are not reelected. “What have you done for me lately”?

VOTER TURNOUT Turnout has DECLINED throughout 20th century Reasons (requirements) – legal obstacles registration requirements – Motor Voter Act registration deadlines Citizenship Age Residency Closed primary (party ID) Tuesdays are workday

POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Political Efficacy: belief that ordinary people can influence the government – emotional obstacles Low in US DECLINE of TRUST and CONFIDENCE & INCREASED frustration/disgust = less participation from electorate Why? Polarization, special interests, scandals Polarization, gridlock

FORMS OF PARTICIPATION Voting in elections (presidential #1) Campaigning for a candidate Supporting social movements Protests, membership in political organization Writing to legislators Campaign contributions Running for office Which is more effective?

ELECTORAL COLLEGE Voters choose a president indirectly Composed of electors pledged to one of the candidates Each state has a number of electoral votes equal to its senators and representatives in Congress 538 total, 270 needed for win Winner take all in 48 states Current campaign strategy targets populous states with the most electors, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois

ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Why keep EC? History/tradition Requires constitutional amendment Benefits small states (more representation) Benefits large states (more attention) Favors two-party system

CAMPAIGNING: STRATEGY “Party-centered strategy” “Issue-oriented strategy” “Image-oriented strategy” (candidate) Media campaigns emphasize candidate image.

Campaign ads Political ads, use sounds, images, and factual claims to make arguments and to influence the way that voters feel. Who is the target audience? What do they want the audience to think? What specific tactics did they use in order to influence the audience? Emotion, persuasion, truth, style, attack ads (going negative)