1. Unit 3, Section 3 The Electoral Process

2. 1. The Nomination - in which the field of candidates is narrowed I. The First Step A. In the United States, the election process occurs in two steps: 2. The General election - the regularly scheduled election where voters make the final choice of officeholder II. The Nomination 1. The Self Announcement A. There are a number of ways to nominate & elect a candidate: 2. The Caucus 3. The Convention 4. The Primary 5. The Petition a. Vote for me! a. Open & Closed Primaries a. This is a required number of signatures needed to get your name on the ballot. b. This is very common in local elections.

3. SECTION3 Nominating and Electing a Candidate

4. What are Direct Primaries?? Nonpartisan Primary Candidates are not identified by party labels Runoff Primary If a required majority is not met, the two people with the most votes run again Closed Primary Only declared party members can vote. Types of Direct Primaries Open Primary Any qualified voter can take part. Blanket Primary Qualified voters can vote for any candidate, regardless of party

5. SECTION5 Primaries Across the United States

6. B. Congress sets the time, etc. for congressional and presidential elections A. Elections are primarily regulated by State law, but there are some overreaching federal regulations. III. The Administration of Elections C. States provide for absentee ballots and details of the elections for state and county officials. D. Polling places are where people who live in a precinct go to vote. IV. Casting the Ballot A. Originally voting was done orally – because it was “MANLY”!!! B. Paper ballots started in the early 1800’s – but you brought your own ballot!! 1. In the late 1800’s, ballots became standardized….

7. Office-Group and Party-Column Ballots

8. A. Electronic voting has been used since the 1960s. 1. Punch-card ballots are often used to cast votes. B. Online voting is a trend that may be encountered in the near future. V. Voting Machines and Innovations

9. VI. Money & Elections

10. Sources of Funding Small contributors Wealthy supporters Nonparty groups such as PACs Temporary fund-raising organizations Candidates Government subsidies Private and Public Sources of Campaign Money

11. VI. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) A. They enforce disclosure laws which force candidates to report where they got their money from. B. They place limits on campaign contributions and expenditures C. They set up rules for how public funds can be used for presidential campaigns. 1. This needs to be increased in order STOP the influence of special interest groups in elections by donating so much money. D. There are “loopholes”… 1. Soft Money - This is money given for “party-building” activities 2. Independent Campaign Spending- This is “unlimited” money given by an individual “un-connected” to a candidate or party 3. Issue Ads- This is money spent on advertising to either criticize or support a candidate without mentioning names….but everyone knows who you mean.