Part II Voting and Elections

What level of government determines the requirements to vote? State Governments State Governments

In the past what types of people were denied the right to vote? In the past what types of people were denied the right to vote? Women Women Native Americans Native Americans African Americans African Americans Non-property holders Non-property holders

Today what are the requirements to vote in most states? 18 years old 18 years old US Citizen US Citizen Registered (except N. Dakota) Registered (except N. Dakota) Convicted felons must have served time Convicted felons must have served time

How did each of the following expand suffrage (right to vote)? 15 th Amendment – all males can vote 15 th Amendment – all males can vote 19 th Amendment – all women can vote 19 th Amendment – all women can vote 23 rd Amendment – residents of Washington D.C. get 3 electoral votes 23 rd Amendment – residents of Washington D.C. get 3 electoral votes 24 th Amendment – no poll tax, poor can vote 24 th Amendment – no poll tax, poor can vote Voting Rights Act of 1965 – literacy tests prohibited Voting Rights Act of 1965 – literacy tests prohibited 26 th Amendment – 18 years and older can vote 26 th Amendment – 18 years and older can vote Voting Rights Language Assistance Act – use of bilingual ballots Voting Rights Language Assistance Act – use of bilingual ballots

What are the steps to voting? 1. Register: National Voter Registration Act “Motor Votor Bill” allows people to register when getting drivers license To register for the first time you need proof of citizenship, address and age To register for the first time you need proof of citizenship, address and age

Steps to Voting 2. Go to you polling place – location where voting is carried out – in your precinct – your voting district 3. Get a ballot – list of candidates 4. Step up to voting booth or machine and vote

How can citizens who cannot get to their polling place vote? Absentee Ballot – must be asked for in advance, marked and returned to election board before Election Day Absentee Ballot – must be asked for in advance, marked and returned to election board before Election Day

How is a winner determined in an election? Election workers count votes and take ballots and results, called returns to the election board for verification. Election workers count votes and take ballots and results, called returns to the election board for verification.

Exit Polls Media try and predict winners by asking (polling) voters on how they voted Media try and predict winners by asking (polling) voters on how they voted Criticisms – may influence outcome by influencing those who have not voted yet Criticisms – may influence outcome by influencing those who have not voted yet

Why do some people not vote? Do not meet state requirements Do not meet state requirements Feel no candidate represents their feelings Feel no candidate represents their feelings Feel their vote will not make a difference Feel their vote will not make a difference Apathy – lack of interest Apathy – lack of interest

Types of Elections Two Part Process: Primary Elections – nominate candidates to run Primary Elections – nominate candidates to run General Elections – choose a candidate for office General Elections – choose a candidate for office

Citizens can also vote on issues Initiatives – way in which people can propose new laws or state constitutional amendments through petition Initiatives – way in which people can propose new laws or state constitutional amendments through petition Proposition – if enough sign petition the proposed law is put on ballot for citizens to vote on Proposition – if enough sign petition the proposed law is put on ballot for citizens to vote on

Referendum When citizens can vote to approve or reject a state or local law When citizens can vote to approve or reject a state or local law

Special Elections Recall Vote – when people can vote to remove a state or local official Recall Vote – when people can vote to remove a state or local official

What are the different techniques used in campaigning for office? Canvassing – party members go door to door asking for votes Canvassing – party members go door to door asking for votes Advertising – allow party to present only its candidate’s position and attack an opponant without response Advertising – allow party to present only its candidate’s position and attack an opponant without response Propaganda – an attempt to promote a particular person or idea Propaganda – an attempt to promote a particular person or idea

Propaganda Techniques The Bandwagon The Bandwagon Glittering Generality Glittering Generality Stacked Cards Stacked Cards Transfer Transfer Just Plain Folks Just Plain Folks Name Calling Name Calling Endorsement Endorsement

Paying for campaigns “There are four parts to any campaign. The candidate, the issues….., the campaign organization, and the money. Without the money you can forget the other three.” “There are four parts to any campaign. The candidate, the issues….., the campaign organization, and the money. Without the money you can forget the other three.” –Former House Speaker Tip O’Neill

How much do campaigns cost? Every four years American spend more than Every four years American spend more than $3 BILLION a year on national, state, and local elections. $3 BILLION a year on national, state, and local elections.

How do the candidates raise the money? How do the candidates raise the money? Money comes from: Money comes from: Money comes from Money comes from Private Citizens Private Citizens The Government The Government Corporations and Interest Groups Corporations and Interest Groups Political Action Committees – (PACs) Organizations set up by Interest Groups and Corp. to raise money for candidates Political Action Committees – (PACs) Organizations set up by Interest Groups and Corp. to raise money for candidates

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) Established to place control on how much individuals and groups could give to candidates. Established to place control on how much individuals and groups could give to candidates. WHY? WHY?

FECA Characteristics Pages Created the FEC (Federal Election Commission) Created the FEC (Federal Election Commission) Independent agency of the executive branch to administer campaign laws and watch spending Independent agency of the executive branch to administer campaign laws and watch spending

Limited Contributions Limited Contributions In order to keep corruption out of elections In order to keep corruption out of elections Cannot limit candidates own money (1 st Amendment) Cannot limit candidates own money (1 st Amendment)

Presidential Election Campaign Fund allows taxpayers to designated $3 of taxes to set up public fund for Presidential candidates allows taxpayers to designated $3 of taxes to set up public fund for Presidential candidates

What is the difference between soft money and hard money? Hard Money – money given directly to candidate for campaign; limited Hard Money – money given directly to candidate for campaign; limited Soft Money – money given to political parties for general purposes; was unlimited Soft Money – money given to political parties for general purposes; was unlimited

What is an incumbent? Politicians who have already been elected to office Politicians who have already been elected to office

Why would incumbents be reluctant to pass campaign reform laws? Because most PACs give their money to incumbents Because most PACs give their money to incumbents

What did the McCain-Feingold Act do to restrict campaign financing? Prohibits raising soft money in national campaigns Prohibits raising soft money in national campaigns Puts time restrictions on broadcasting political adds Puts time restrictions on broadcasting political adds Raised the limits on hard money for campaigns Raised the limits on hard money for campaigns

What trends are likely to come about in campaign financing in the future? Focus on many small donations rather than large Focus on many small donations rather than large Use of internet to campaign Use of internet to campaign