Local, State, National The Electoral Process

The nomination process-two party system Self-announcement Individuals that state they are running for a particular office Example upcoming presidential election, prominent democrats will “announce” that they are running for office of president– maybe Hillary Clinton Caucus-started during colonial times Group of similarly minded people that meet to select the candidates that they will support in upcoming election Legislative caucus- a meeting of a party’s members in the State legislature Ended by 1824 (King Caucus-derogatory tag given to the use of caucus by the party—Andrew Jackson

Convention replaces caucus First convention held in 1831- replaced by direct primary in 1910’s (Progressive era) How it works Party’s members meet in a local caucus to pick candidates for local office, at same time select delegates to represent them at county convention Nominees selected for local representatives, mayor, sheriff At county convention delegates nomination candidates for state convention County offices, supervisor, county tax collector At state convention delegates sent to national convention Party nominates candidate for governor, and other state offices At national convention Delegates select their choice for president and vice president

Nomination process (cont) Direct primary An intra-party election –so Democrats and Republicans both hold one Held within a party to select that party’s candidates for the general election Most State law requires major party US primary to choose their candidates for US Senate and House of Reps.

Types of Primaries Primaries (an election that narrows the field of candidates before a general election) Closed (24 states follow this today) Only those who register in advance can vote for party nominees--- encourages party loyalty Open (26 states use this) Voters (on ELECTION DAY) can decide whether they want the Democratic or Republican candidate Blanket (up to 2000, 3 states used this –declared unconstitutional in CA-violation of 1st and 14th amendments) The most “anti”party of all primaries Voters get a list of candidates from all parties and are allowed to pick some Democrats, some Republicans, some minor parties

Non-partisan elections School boards Municipal offices ½ state judges All still have to participate in a non-partisan primary the candidate with clear majority either runs as unopposed in general election or is declared the winner (elected)

Presidential primary and petition Not a nominating device An election that is held as part of process by which presidential candidates are chosen Winners of state primaries decide their proportional representation by delegate/most states are NOT winner take all in presidential primary each state sends their delegates to each party’s national convention to choose their presidential candidate national convention roll call vote Petition Used most often at local level Nonpartisan school board positions, municipal offices of medium sized cities Nominations occur by petition State to state, specific number of qualified voters

Elections Federal control Election Day Early Voting Precincts/Polling Places The Ballot Automated voting Electronic counting Vote-by-mail elections Online voting

Money and Elections