PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS FROM CAMPAIGN TO THE WHITE HOUSE .

I. The Nominating Process Importance Define: The naming of those who will seek office Impact on the right to vote Two-party system One-party constituencies

B. Five categories of nominations Self-announcement Oldest form Ross Perot / 1992 as an example

Categories of Nominations (cont’d) Caucus Group of like-minded people who make the selection Problem: a few influential individuals are making the decision Used very little today

Categories of Nominations (cont’d) Convention Delegates selected at the local level All major party presidential nominees chosen this way since 1832 Party bosses gained control at local level of delegate selection Direct primaries in most states

Categories of Nominations (cont’d) Direct Primary Election held within the party Two forms Closed primary Open primary

Criticism of the Primary System -low turnout Types: Direct Primary Closed primary Open primary Offered as an improvement to the Boss system (163) More democratic because the candidates were indirectly chosen by the voters. Criticism of the Primary System -low turnout -public infighting among party candidates -name recognition plays too big of a role -Early states have a disproportionate impact on the party nominees while others are virtually shut out of the process. -2008 democrats are an exception

Categories of Nominations (cont’d) Nominating petitions Local elections

II. Role of Conventions Narrow the final selection of the president Republican Democrat Determine party platform Create party unity

III. General Elections First Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even numbered years. All matters relating to the national election are dealt with in the laws of the States

Every 4 years a Presidential election GENERAL ELECTION Mid Term Election Every 4 years a Presidential election Run by States administered by City Clerk 51 Separate Elections 23rd Amendment Stephanie C. Kelly, City Clerk

Secret ballot Prevent voter intimidation

Absentee Ballot You can get one from the City Clerk Used by: Elderly Handicapped Sick College Students Military Personnel Sent in the Mail

Only in the Presidential Election Where does the Money Come From? Do you want $3 of your federal tax to go to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund? Yes No As a U.S. taxpayer, you are asked to make this choice when you fill out your 1040 federal income tax return. This does not reduce the amount of your refund! Public Funding

1040 EZ Federal Income Tax

What is the Cash For? For the primary and General Elections If the candidates accept the public funds, they can not accept any more private money In the last election neither candidate accepted the money

STATE OF MICHIGAN 2008 November 6, 2012 - General Election Day - polls open 6:30am - 7:30pm    Must be registered by October 12, 2012, 5pm  Elections

IV. Precincts and Polling Places Precincts – a voting district. Usually 500 to 1,000 voters. Polling Place – where the voters who live in a precinct actually vote

Electoral College http://www.history.com/videos/the-electoral-college#the-electoral-college

V. Electoral College The Electors Equal to the number of congressmen (senate & house) State leg. Decides method for choosing electors (popular election in all states since 1860) “winner-take-all” system

Electoral College (cont’d) Electors meet at their state capital on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December to cast votes Vote separately for Pres. And vice pres. Electors are pledged to their candidate (not by law)

Just Who Are These “Electors”? These are the people that actually vote for president They are party loyalists in a particular state that are rewarded for their service by being allowed to officially vote in December for President Each state party selects a panel of electors that will be ready to vote if their candidate wins the popular vote in that particular state. Michigan will have 17 from each party.

Electoral College (cont’d) North Carolina has 15 Votes are sent by registered mail to Pres. Of the Senate Open & count on Jan. 6

Electoral College (cont’d) Getting elected Majority of electors needed to win election 270 of 538 (need to know) If no one candidate receives a majority, the House of Reps. Decides from top 3 candidates. Senate will select V.P.

Current Projections

Electoral College (cont’d) Major Defects Electoral vote will contradict the popular vote Happened 4 times: 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000

Electoral College (cont’d) “faithless electors” In most states, electors are not required by law to vote for popular vote winner Has happened 14x but has not effected an election (yet)

Electoral College (cont’d) House decides non-majority outcomes Last time 1824; almost in 1968, 2000 Three objections to election by House voting done by state State may lose vote Majority of states required Not seen as democratic

2000 Election Results Nation Gore 50,996,116 Bush 50,456,169 Florida Buchanan 20,294 Nader 96,896

2000 Election Results Importance of Florida Gore 267 Bush 246

2000 Election Results

2000 Election Results

2000 Election Results

2000 Election Results

Legal Battle Over Florida Bush Administration appeals to U.S. Supreme Court Court Rules in Bush v. Gore (2000) that recount can not be done equally, considering each county was using different standards (14th Amendment) Also, not enough time No Recall allowed 5 to 4 Decision Bush Wins Presidency Gore/Liberman 537 Vote lead for Bush undervotes Overvotes Florida Supreme Court Orders a recount based upon “the clear intention of the voter” Gore Stands to Pick-up more than 537 votes in Palm Beach alone

Electoral College (cont’d) Proposed reforms District plan Like congressional elections 2 at-large electors 1 per district Strength – more accurate reflection of popular vote Weakness – doesn’t guarantee winner of popular vote wins election Gerrymandering – political parties try to control Cong. Dists. Electoral College (cont’d)

Electoral College (cont’d) Proportional plan Each candidate receives a proportion of the electoral vote # of electors = proportion of vote Strength – more representative of popular vote; no more faithless electors Still no guarantee popular vote winner wins election; may effect two party system

Electoral College (cont’d) National bonus plan Keeps much of current system, including winner take all aspect 102 “bonus” electoral votes would be awarded to the winner of popular vote New majority # - 321 If no majority; run-off election between top 2 candidates No electors; automatic vote Almost guarantees winner of popular vote wins election