10.5 Financing Election Campaigns

$$$$ Today: Candidates are more independent than they were in the past Money plays a big part Campaigns are expensive

How expensive? 2012 $6 billion spent On average House = $1.5 million Senate = $9.7 million

???? Hard to compete More time spent raising $4 rather than working Do big campaign donors get better treatment?

Campaign Donations 2 Strategies Electoral Strategy Access Strategy

Electoral Donors use $$ to help elect candidates who support their views and to defeat those who do not Goal: Lawmakers will vote as the donor wishes

Access Donors give $$ to the most likely winner in an election regardless of political party. If the race is close they might donate to both parties. Goal: Gain access to whichever party wins the election

But….. No promises….. $$$ Favors No bribes allowed!!!

Where does the $$ come from? Mostly private sources Some wealthy candidates can fund their own campaigns Most ask for donations

From who? Individual citizens = direct mail Fundraisers How much? $2500 = primary $2500 = general election

PAC Important source of $$ Unions, corporations, interest groups PAC contributions = $5000 $5000

Public Funds A few states allow the use of public funds for governor and state lawmakers At federal level only presidential candidates can use public funds

Where does $$ come from? Income tax return Check a box Donate to campaigns $3

To qualify… Raise $5000 in each of 20 states in small contributions of $250 or less Purpose: encourage candidates to rely on small contributions from average voters

The Catch…. Candidates must agree to limit their campaign spending Many are hesitant to accept public funds Why???

Future? Uncertain Taxpayers donations are down Candidates don’t want to limit their funds

Federal Election Commission 1974 Enforce laws to limit campaign contributions FEC = requires candidates to keep records of donations ……….

And make it public You can see names of all donors who contribute $200 or more to any candidates running for office

Campaign $$ 1980s & 1990s $$$$ = up Interest groups found “loopholes” for more contributions

More reform 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act McCain-Feingold Act Attempt to solve 2 problems

Soft Money Unregulated $$donated to a political party for a purpose. Ex: Voter education Not supposed to be used for campaigns….it was…..

BCRA Bans use soft money in individual election campaigns Limits how much soft money an individual can contribute to a party Money must be used as intended

Issue Ads Political ads that are funded and produced by interest groups rather than election campaigns Focus on an issue rather than the candidate

Problem Not regulated by campaign finance laws “Disguised” campaign ad Presents an issue……names the opposition as “bad”….. Attempt to influence the voter

BCRA Bans these ads 60 days before an election Is it restriction of Free Speech???? Can be banned if the ads is bias against an opponent

Also……….. “Stand by your ad” rule Candidate must take responsibility for their campaign commercials 2004 = candidates require to appear in ad and endorse the content

527 committees Side effect of reform Growth of organizations formed under section 527 of the tax code Not tied to any political party or candidate Allowed to raise and spend as much $$ as they want (support or oppose)

Super PACs Big backers of candidates Accept unlimited donations But…cannot coordinate with candidates or directly fund campaigns

2010 Citizens United v Federal Election Commission Court ruled = Under 1st “A”….. the government can not limit corporate political spending in candidate elections

And……………. Speechnow.org v FEC Court ruled that the government cannot limit contributions of groups that do not directly contribute to candidates Freedom of speech

10.6 Voter Behavior

Elections Important in a democracy Citizens participate Officials must be accountable

Elections Difference between a democracy and a dictatorship

So…… Why don’t people vote?????? 2/3 of Americans who can vote….do not

Why???? Too busy Not feeling well Not interested

3 differences between voters & non-voters Age Education Income

Age % of people who vote varies among different age groups Most voters are over 30….and then increases Declines at 75

Youth vs Older 2008 Slightly under half of all those in 18-24 age group voted Over 72% of those in the 64-75 age group voted

Education College graduates vote more than high school dropouts 2008 75% vs 33% Why do you think?

Income Middle class & wealthy vote more than those living in poverty Is this linked to “income & education” or are there other barriers?

Choosing Voters look to 3 things Party Issues Candidate characteristics

Party Political party Critical Many voters align themselves to a party

Issues Similar to own views Especially important when the voter is more independent “swing voter”

Candidate Characteristics Personal characteristics Appearance “friendly” “trustworthy” “presidential” Experience

Incumbent Candidate who is already holding office Votes tend to vote for the incumbent Unless they have done poorly Why? Reliable Experienced Familiar

Non Voting Problem 2 ways to look at it

Negative People are denied representation in government Government does not serve their needs

Positive Basic level of satisfaction in government Happy with how things are running No need to make the effort to vote

Check 10.5 How do candidates fund their campaigns? What are some “rules” about campaign money? 10.6 What are 3 factors between voters and non voters? What 3 things do voters tend to look at in a candidate?