What role do elections and campaigns have within American society? LESSON 6 Elections and Campaigns

How is the electoral process set by our written laws? I.LAWS & THE ELECTORAL PROCESS A.Scheduling Elections Scheduled far in advance according to federal or state rules Held at scheduled times regardless of current events (ex: 9/11, WWII)

How is the electoral process set by our written laws? B.Polling Places and Ballots PRECINCTS: Basic geographical units in which elections are conducted  size restricted by state laws ELECTION BOARDS: Regulate specific polling places and voting process AUSTRALIAN BALLOT: Uniform secret ballot that lists all candidates and given to voters at polls More than half of American voters use mechanical voting process

How many different types of elections do we have? II.TYPES OF ELECTIONS A.Primaries 1.DIRECT PRIMARIES: Elections where all party members may vote to choose candidate for general election CLOSED PRIMARY: Only registered party members may participate OPEN PRIMARY: Nominating election where any qualified voter may participate

How many different types of elections do we have? 2.BLANKET PRIMARY – All voters receive same ballot with candidates from all parties 3.RUNOFF PRIMARY – Required if no candidate wins majority (usually limited to top two candidates)

How many different types of elections do we have? B.Caucuses 1.CAUCUS: Meeting of party leaders to select candidates  Less democratic  Used less frequently  More important during presidential elections  greater historical significance (Iowa) Hand count during Iowa Caucus (2004)

How many different types of elections do we have? C.General election 1.When party nominees face each other 2.Frequency of general elections varies based on level of government FREQUENCY OF GENERAL ELECTIONS FEDERAL LEVEL: Always first Tuesday after first Monday in November (Election Day – Nov. 6) STATE LEVEL (NY): Follows federal structure; primaries in September COUNTY LEVEL (Nassau): Follows federal structure; primaries in September FREQUENCY OF GENERAL ELECTIONS FEDERAL LEVEL: Always first Tuesday after first Monday in November (Election Day – Nov. 6) STATE LEVEL (NY): Follows federal structure; primaries in September COUNTY LEVEL (Nassau): Follows federal structure; primaries in September

What decisions are made in selecting our President? III.PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS A.MAKING THE DECISION TO RUN: Candidates assess the price and the odds for winning Make a public announcement Make a strategy

What decisions are made in selecting our President? B.WINNING DELEGATES: The goal is to win support from many delegates at nominating convention 1.FIRST STEP: Strong showing in early primaries (NH, Iowa) 2.SECOND STEP: Use momentum for publicity, support and money

What decisions are made in selecting our President? C.THE CONVENTION A “pep rally” for candidate surviving primary season  kickoff of final campaign Settlement of party platform DARK HORSE CANDIDATE: One who receives unexpected support to challenge frontrunner

What decisions are made in selecting our President? D.GENERAL ELECTION STAGE 1.Focus of campaign shifts to appealing to all voters 2.Increase in campaign staff for final push  MEDIA & ADVERTISING  POLLING  SPEECHWRITING  FUNDRAISING

What decisions are made in selecting our President?  TELEVISED DEBATES: Give public opportunity to hear different viewpoints

24 MONTHS BEFORE ELECTION12 MONTHS BEFORE ELECTION THE DECISION TO RUN Gather support and moneyGather support and money Test the watersTest the waters Announce candidacyAnnounce candidacy THE DECISION TO RUN Gather support and moneyGather support and money Test the watersTest the waters Announce candidacyAnnounce candidacy PRIMARIES & CAUCUSES Run from February to June PRIMARIES & CAUCUSES Run from February to June CONVENTIONS Just before Labor Day CONVENTIONS PARTY CONVENTIONS Formal selection of nominees PARTY CONVENTIONS Formal selection of nominees ELECTIONNovemberELECTIONNovember GENERAL ELECTION STAGE General campaignGeneral campaign Population votesPopulation votes GENERAL ELECTION STAGE General campaignGeneral campaign Population votesPopulation votes WINNING DELEGATES Elimination of all candidates except one WINNING DELEGATES Elimination of all candidates except one TIMELINE Running for the Presidency

How can a presidential election affect other national races?  CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS Less expensive Less competitive President’s popularity may affect both House and Senate races  coattail effect Peter King (R) Representative 2 nd CD Peter King (R) Representative 2 nd CD

Where do they find the money to pay for these elections?  CAMPAIGN FINANCING A.FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION (FEC): Requires candidates and parties to make public records of contributions and spending B.Cost of campaigns has increased dramatically  most money spent on media (TV, radio) C.WAR CHEST ADVANTAGE: Incumbents scare away competition with large campaign funds CAMPAIGN SPENDING $683,546,548 / 65,899,660 = $10.37 per vote Barack Obama (D) $683,546,548 / 65,899,660 = $10.37 per vote $433,281,516 / 60,932,152 = $7.11 Mitt Romney (R) $433,281,516 / 60,932,152 = $7.11 $2,507,763 / 1,275,827 = $1.97 Gary Johnson (L) $2,507,763 / 1,275,827 = $1.97 CAMPAIGN SPENDING Barack Obama (D) $ $$ $683,546,548 / 65,899,660 = $10.37 per vote Mitt Romney (R) $ $$ $433,281,516 / 60,932,152 = $7.11 Gary Johnson (L) $ $$ $2,507,763 / 1,275,827 = $1.97

Where do they find the money to pay for these elections? D.SOURCES OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS 1.PRIVATE SOURCES a.Candidate’s personal wealth b.Individual contributions  Regulated by federal and state governments  Mostly modest amounts ($100- $200) c.Corporate dollars d.POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES (PACs): Political arm of special interest group that contribute to campaigns  buying influence?

Where do they find the money to pay for these elections? 2.PUBLIC SOURCE  FEDERAL GOVERNMENT a.MATCHING FUNDS: Government will match contributions of individual donors b.No more than $250 each c.Limits spending to what each candidate is given

Where do they find the money to pay for these elections? E.Loopholes and concerns over campaign finance 1.Abuse of campaign finance laws consistently debated 2.Three major concerns of public SOFT MONEY: Money not regulated by federal law that is used for general expenses  not spent on specific candidates, but spent on promoting issues FUNDRAISING TACTICS: Should elected officials use government offices to solicit funds? (ex: Clinton/Gore, 1996) SKYROCKETING COSTS: Presidential campaigns can be more expensive than corporate advertising budgets

What decisions are made in selecting our President? III.PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS A.MAKING THE DECISION TO RUN: Candidates assess the price and the odds for winning Make a public announcement Make a strategy REPUBLICAN PARTY FRONTRUNNERS Mitt Romney (MA) Ron Paul (TX) Rick Perry (TX) Rick Santorum (PA) Newt Gingrich (GA)