Electoral Process

Nominating Candidates Pre- Primary Candidates declare run for office Obama announces run. McCain announces run.

Primary Closed: Open: Runoff: Nonpartisan: Only party members Anyone can vote No majority- top two face off All candidates on same party

Campaigns Candidate visibility Media involvement Polling

Living Room Candidate: Campaign Commercials SNL “Dem Debate”- media perception and satire: SNL Democratic Debate #2 Video on new media: New Media 2.0 of PAC get out the vote for endorsed candidate: Move On

Campaign Financing Party Assistance Political Action Committees Private Donors Public Funding Personal Financing

Regulation Financial Disclosure Contribution Limits –$1,000 per indiv. –$5,000 per group (PAC) –$20,000 per year to a political party –$25,000 per year overall

Elections & Voting Types –Primary –General –Special

Administration –When elections are held? –How elections are conducted? –Type of Ballots Secret Ballot Absentee Ballot –Voting by Mail –Contested Elections

Florida 2000: Bush v Gore Florida Recount VideoFlorida Recount Video

Requirements Today –Property and Tax –African Americans –Women –Age –Citizenship –Residence –Registration Status

Campaigns & Public Good Criticisms Nonvoting –Role of The Media –Negative Campaigning –Voter Alienation –Registration Requirements –Weakened Political Parties

Voting Behavior –Party Identification –Issues –Candidate’s Record and Image –Voter’s Background

Voting behavior & CA Upcoming Governor Election

Benefits –Encouraging Debate –Providing Information