The Political Process SSCG 15 & 16

Standard Overview SSCG16: Analyze the difference between involuntary and voluntary participation in civic life. SSCG16a: Describe how and why citizens are required by law to pay taxes, serve on a jury, and register for military duty.

Involuntary Civic Participation Civic duties include: Obey the laws of the country, state, and local governments. Pay taxes Serving Jury Duty Registering for the Selective Service if you are a male between 18-25

Standard Overview SSCG16: Analyze the difference between involuntary and voluntary participation in civic life. SSCG16b: Describe how citizens voluntarily and responsibly participate in the political process by voting, performing public service, being informed about current issues, and respecting differing opinions.

Voluntary Civic Participation Voting In the U.S., this is not mandatory 55% of voting age population cast ballots in 2016 More people need to vote in order to get an accurate account of what people actually want.

Voluntary Civic Participation Performing Public Service Running for office Volunteering in elections Working for the public Nurse Teacher Staying informed about current issues Respecting each others opinion

Standard Overview SSCG15: Demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections. SSCG15a: Describe the historical development, organization, role, and constituencies of political parties.

Political Parties A political party is a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and holding public office. Partisanship is strong support of a party.

Political Parties The United States has a two-party system, The two dominant political parties are the Republicans and the Democrats. The Republican Party tends to take a more conservative stance on issues The Democratic Party usually supports more liberal policy issues.

Republicans vs. Democrats On the Issues Democrats support: Gov. to solve issues Regulations on businesses Progressive tax system Progressive societal structure Limited military spending Republicans support: Limited government size Fewer regulations on businesses Lower taxes Traditional societal structure / values Big military

Standard Overview SSCG15: Demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections. SSCG15b: Describe the nomination and election process.

Nomination and Elections Nomination means that a person is selected to run for public office At the local level, people just self announce At the national level for presidential candidates, the two major parties conduct there own state by state elections know as primaries

Nomination and Elections After a winner has emerged from the primaries, a national convention is held for each party. At the convention the… Candidates are formally announced Speeches are given by important members of the party in order to “bring the party together”. A party platform is established A platform is an outline of the parties basic principles and goals for the next 4 years.

Nomination and Elections General elections are regularly scheduled elections at which voters make the final selection of officeholders. States are in charge of elections Each state must have… A precinct is a voting district. The precincts are the smallest geographic units for the purpose of elections. A ballot is the device by which a voter registers his or her choices in an election. Most ballots are cast electronically

Standard Overview SSCG15: Demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections. SSCG15c: Examine campaign funding and spending and the influence of special interest groups on elections.

Campaign Finance Running for President costs billions. Radio and television time Professional campaign managers Newspaper and online advertising, posters, bumper stickers Office rental space, polling, mass mailings, websites, travel, etc.

Campaign Finance Funding sources include: Private donors – large and small Candidates own resources Political Action Committees Independent groups that collect funds and campaign for individuals

Campaign Finance A Super PAC makes expenditures in federal races for running campaign ads for or against a candidate. Their messages specifically advocate for the election or defeat of a particular candidate. There are no limits or restrictions on the use of funds spent by Super PACs.

Campaign Finance Hard money - money raised and spent to elect Congressional and Presidential candidates. Soft money refers to the funds given to party organizations for ‘party-building activities’, such as the recruitment of candidates, voter registration drives, and other efforts utilized to build party membership.

Campaign Finance SSCG15: Demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections. SSCG15d: Examine how recent policy changes and Supreme Court rulings have impacted the campaign finance process.

Campaign Finance Regulation BCRA of 2002 - congressional act that regulates the financing of political campaigns. $2700 to individual candidates $5000 to PACs

Campaign Finance Regulation Citizens United vs. FEC (2010) – supreme court ruling that gave corporations, labor unions, etc. the right to spend an unlimited amount on “communications” An individual or group can buy as much air time as they like.

Standard Overview SSCG15: Demonstrate knowledge of local, state, and national elections. SSCG15e: Analyze the influence of media coverage, campaign advertising, and public opinion polls.

Political Influence Media includes any type of mass communication, such as the Internet, television, newspapers, and radio. They effect the political landscape in three ways: Influencing the political opinion of voters Determining the behavior of candidates Setting the public agenda

Political Influence Campaign advertising in politics is designed to influence voter behavior. Radio, TV, Newspapers, Magazines, etc. Social Media – “Fake News”

Political Influence Public opinion polls are human research surveys often used in politics. Polls can be via telephone, online, or in person. Results guide future campaigning and advertising activities. May rely on polling results to help make a decision.