1. How to Become President (in 5 not-so-easy steps) Sections 4 & 5

2. Step Zero: Be a Good Candidate Someone the party believes can win Well known, not controversial State governors are a good choice

3. Step One: Start a Campaign Form an exploratory committee Raise money Announce your candidacy

4. Step Two: Win the Primaries Winner-take-all Proportional representation Caucuses: the oddballs in Iowa Raise more money

5. Step Three: Get Nominated Go to the national convention – Keynote Address – Party Platform – Accept nomination Raise more money

6. Step Four: Campaign Appeal to swing voters in battleground states Debate your opponent Raise more money

7. Step Five: The Election 5.1: Popular election – Don’t forget to vote for yourself! 5.2: Electoral college

8. The Electoral College Senators + representatives = electoral votes Electors are chosen by popular vote – Winner-take-all To become president, you must receive a majority of electoral votes

10. When Good Elections Go Bad If no one gets a majority of electoral votes, the election is decided by the House of Representatives It is possible to win the popular vote, but lose in the electoral college

11. 2000 Election

12. 2008 Election

13. 2012 Election

14. Proposed Reforms District plan – 2 electors vote w/ state’s popular vote – Remaining electors vote w/ each district Proportional plan – States electors divided up according to state’s popular vote Direct popular election – Get rid of the electoral college entirely National popular vote plan – State laws require electors to vote for the winner of the popular vote