Electing the President

Caucus/Primary Elections Caucus—meeting of candidate supporters that chooses delegates to a state or national convention. Primary Election—preliminary election that narrows the number of candidates by determining who will be the nominees in the general election.

Primaries Closed—only party members can vote…and only in the party in which they are registered. Semi-closed—independents can participate. Open—any registered voter can participate.

Matching Funds Public money (from $3 check-offs on income tax returns) that the Federal Election Commission distributes to primary candidates according to a pre-specified formula.

In 1996 and 2000 the Presidential Nominations Were Decided Earlier Than Ever

States in Proportion to Electoral Votes, 1984

States in Proportion to News Coverage of Primaries, 1984

In the 1990s Reliance on Soft Money in Presidential Elections Increased Dramatically

Bill Clinton Won an Overwhelming Electoral College Majority in 1996, Despite Winning Only 49 Percent of the Popular Vote

The Republican “L”

A Majority of Americans Decide How to Vote Before the Fall Campaign Begins - Many Decide Even Before the Primaries

The Democratic Advantage in Party Identification Has Eroded

Until the 1980s the Democrats Generally Had Been Viewed as the Party of Prosperity

Blacks and Whites Differ Greatly in Their Views About Race Relations and Racial Policy

Since 1980 Women Have Consistently Voted More Democratic Than Men