The American Political System Explain ways laws have been influenced by political parties, constituents, interest groups, lobbyists, the media and public opinion

Media and Public Opinion media - main means of mass communication - TVs, radio, newspapers, magazines, internet propaganda

propaganda - information used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view - generally in a biased or misleading

Types of Propaganda bandwagon - “Everybody is doing it” name-calling - gives political candidates unpleasant labels to discourage others to vote for them stacked cards - only one side is supported glittering generality - provides an emotional appeal to voters - use words like freedom and patriotism “just plain folks” - appeals to the general public showing political candidates doing things alongside the community

Activity I will assign you groups. Your job is to agree on a current, modern-day issue you would like to make a type of propaganda for. Use images, words, phrases, symbols, and colors. You will present in these groups. Your propaganda will be interpreted by the class. This is for a grade!

Political Parties an organization of citizens who have similar views on issues and who work to put their ideas into effect through government action we have a two-party system - Republican Party - opposes the federal regulation of traditionally state and local matters, such as policing and education, oppose gun-control legislation, likely support organized prayer in public schools and to oppose recognition of equal rights for gays, supports U.S. national security interests - Democratic Party - strong federal government, federally financed social services and benefits for the poor, the unemployed, the aged, and other groups, and the protection of civil rights vote for laws that reflect their party’s beliefs or main goals

Party Systems The United States has a two-party system single-party system - single political party controls the government - law usually forbids formation of all other political parties - also known as dictatorships or totalitarian governments multi-party system - more than two strong political parties - found in some European countries - two or more parties often agree to compromise and work together - this is known as a coalition third parties - parties other than the primary two (Republican/Democratic) - independents - limit constitutional government - libertarians - “Maximum Freedom, Minimum Government” (civil rights)

Interest Groups organizations of people with a common interest that try to influence government policies and decisions also known as a lobby lobbyist - person who is paid by an interest group to represent that group’s interests - role is to bring pressure against legislatures to change laws to fit their ideas and wants

Campaign Commercials Ted Cruz Hillary Clinton Bernie Sanders Donald Trump

What political party do you relate to the most? Go to http://www.isidewith.com/ and see which candidate you are matched up with after your quiz. How surprised are you? Are you matched with the political party you believe you may be a part of?

Voting formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action, expressed typically through a ballot or a show of hands or by voice What makes you eligible? How Do You Register? - mail - in person - online When is the deadline? - 25 days before election Bring an ID Early Vote - up to 12 days before an election (in NC) Absentee Voting - States allow you to cast an absentee ballot only if you cannot vote at the polling place - examples include illness or physical injuries http://www.eac.gov/assets/1/Documents/Voter'sGuide_508.pdf http://civics.sites.unc.edu/files/2012/05/PoliticalPartiesConventions.pdf http://www.core-online.org/History/history_links.htm http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/laborlegislation2013.htm

Suffrage defined as the right to vote in political elections mentioned and passed in the 15th (based on race, color, etc) and 19th (right to vote based on sex)

Where Do I Vote? based on the address found on your registration card Examples of locations - churches, schools, libraries voting access with a disability - physically handicapped (visually impaired, blind)

Voting Rights Act and Assistance jurisdictions offer ballots in other languages or verbal assistance other languages are provided for online voting assistance can be provided for first time voters, voters with disabilities, and voters at places with new voting equipment Voting Rights Act of 1965 - forbid racial discrimination in voting

Civil Rights Legislation 13th Amendment - abolished slavery 14th Amendment - citizenship and equal protection Plessy v. Ferguson - separate but equal 19th Amendment - voting rights for women Brown v. Board of Education- declared Plessy v. Ferguson unconstitutional Civil Rights Act of 1957 - forbids sex based pay on different jobs Civil Rights Act of 1965 - no discrimination based on race, sex, origin, religion 13 - abolished slavery 14 - protects citizenship 19 - equal voting rights

Dear Absent Student Student X is not here today. In five to seven sentences, explain to that student what we discussed about voting and voting rights. This is graded! Be descriptive. Remember, that student knows absolutely nothing about what we learned!

Election Basics

Electoral College group of electors that casts official votes that elect the president and vice president elector - a person chosen from each state and the District of Columbia who formally elect the president and vice president electoral votes - votes cast by the electoral college for president and vice president popular vote - vote of the citizens of a country

Primaries primary election - election in which the voters of various parties choose candidates to run for office in the general election direct primary - preliminary election in which a party's candidates for public office are nominated by direct vote of the people closed primary - a primary in which only members of a particular party may vote open primary - voters can take part in either the Democratic or Republican nominating contests regardless of their party affiliation

Nomination Process winning the primaries is not the end of the process of becoming a presidential candidate platform - written statement outlining a political party’s views on issues and describing the programs it proposes plank - political party’s specific proposal for legislation or a statement of a short-term goal regarding a single issues - are the components of political parties Presidential Candidates Vice Presidential Candidates

Local Voting mayor - has equal voting power with all members of council has power to veto power on the decisions of the city council precinct - local voting districts in a county, city, or ward initiative - process by which citizens of a state may propose a law by collecting signatures on a petition

State Voting What did we learn about elections and how voting works? (We just reviewed it) Same nomination process and campaigns What are the elected members called and where do they serve in general parties? How long are these member’s terms and what is the age requirement? serve six years 30 years

National Voting Who are we electing? How long do they serve? What are the requirements to be this individual? Who are some of the candidates today? (Or who do you remember from the debates?)

Campaign Financing financed at all levels (national, state, and local) lobbyists (remember this word?) must first meet various eligibility requirements, such as agreeing to limit campaign spending to a specified amount. presidential start-up cost - $10 million (written April 1, 2015)

Terms Review majority petition spoils system electorate (263) election (general and federal) electors campaign conventions civil hearing criminal hearing