The Nominating Process

A nomination is the naming of a candidate who will seek office The nomination is the most important stage because it sets limits to the choices a voter can make

Ways to nominate… Self-announcement The oldest form, often used by people who fail to get a regular party nomination, or by someone who is unhappy with a party’s choice

Ways to nominate… Caucus - A group of like-minded people meet to select a candidate. Used to be practical because transportation and communication were difficult. Caucuses were replaced by the convention method because they limited the participation of party members

Ways to nominate… The convention Direct Primary Closed Primary Delegates select candidates Direct Primary The most widely used method of making nominations. Intraparty nominating election where those who can vote choose a party’s candidate to run in a general election Closed Primary Only declared party members can vote Open Primary Any qualified voter can vote, they choose which party they will vote on at the polls

Ways to nominate… Run-off Primary Nomination by petition Takes place when no candidate has a majority of votes in some states Nomination by petition candidates are nominated by a petition signed by a certain number of qualified voters, usually done in local elections

Elections Presidential elections are held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November, every four years The Constitution gives Congress the power to set the date for holding congressional elections The coattail effect occurs when a strong party candidate draws votes to the party ticket

Precincts and Polling Places A precinct is a voting district, a geographical unit, each has only one polling place, and in most states, the polls are open from 7am-8pm. The most basic unit for holding an election

The Ballot the ballot is a device by which voters register a choice in and election. Each state provides a secret ballot We use the Australian Ballot – printed at public expense, lists all candidates in an election, given out only at the polls and is voted in secret

Types of Ballots Office-group ballot Party –column ballot Candidates are always listed by position Party –column ballot Lists candidates under a party column. Encourages “straight-ticket” voting (voting for all candidates of a party)

MONEY AND THE ELECTION PROCESS 2000 – presidential campaigns spent about $607 million Congressional campaigns spent about $ 1 billion avg. winning senator - $7.5 M avg. representative-$849,000 Most campaign monies come from private contributors Small contributors - $5-$10 occasionally Wealthy persons who make large donations Candidates and their families Political Action Committees (PACs) Nonparty political groups who work to affect public policy

MONEY AND THE ELECTION PROCESS Laws limit a person’s total contribution to federal candidates and PACs to $25,000/yr A lot of people give money because they support a candidate, but most give because they want something in return Some want appointments to public office, others social recognition, some want the “ear” of the elected official There are very strict election laws limiting campaigns. This maintains honest and free elections

MONEY AND THE ELECTION PROCESS Campaign money is spent on a variety of things Travel and entertainment Pamphlets and posters Newspaper and magazine ads Television appearances (this is the most expensive)