1. Unit 1: the political Process
You and Your Government

2. Beginning Thoughts
U.S. citizens sometimes complain about our government, claiming it has too much power and control over their lives or that their vote doesn’t matter.
Why do you think they feel this way?
How do you think our government would function if people did not participate?

3. Presidential Elections and Voting

4. Determining Candidates
How did Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump get on the ballot (especially when people view them so unfavorably)?
Why does it seem they are our only choice when there are several other candidates?

5. Nomination Process: Key Ideas
Candidates are chosen in each state through voting in a primary election or caucus – basic rules are established by the political parties
The primary method is the most common since only 13 states hold caucuses
Candidates are awarded “delegates” based on the outcome of the vote
Delegates go to represent their state and vote for their party’s candidate at the national convention the summer prior to the November election
Candidates with the most delegates typically win their party’s nomination

6. Primary Election It is an election held like most other elections
Voters go to their polling place
Voter eligibility laws apply
Voters may only vote on one party’s ballot
One person, one vote
“Open” Primaries do not require you to be a member of a political party
Outcome of the vote awards state delegates to a candidate who will vote at the national nominating convention

7. Caucus (Iowa plus 12 others)
Open meetings of party members held around a state
Caucus goers discuss candidates and issues
State delegates to the national convention are awarded based on the outcome of all the caucuses

8. General Election Process
American citizens do not directly elect the President – Why?
The Electoral College elects the President
Key Points on the Electoral College
each state has electors whose number is equal to their representation in Congress (Senators + Representatives) – based on population
Electors may not hold any other office
Electors are appointed by state legislature

9. Do you think the Electoral College is fair?
538 Electoral Votes possible (based on 535 members of Congress (House plus Senate) plus 3 for D.C.
Need 270 to win
Voters actually “vote” for electors for their state
Electors are tied to their political party’s candidate – they vote for the party, not candidate
Ties are decided in the House of Rep
Do you think the Electoral College is fair?

10. The Electoral Map

11. Electoral College: Problems
Winner Take All - Winning a state’s popular vote gives that candidate all that state’s electoral votes (except Nebraska and Maine)
possible to win election without winning popular vote
Happened in 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000
3rd Party Candidates
Almost impossible for one to be elected
Can pull votes away from a major party candidate
Creates greater possibility of a winner who does not win the popular vote

12. Administering Elections
Federal Election Oversight
Date: the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (even # years)
Federal Elections Committee (FEC): regulates campaign finance
State laws dictate the process for holding the elections
Voter qualifications/registration
Set up precincts (voting districts) with polling places (where you go vote)

13. Georgia Voter Qualifications
Be a US citizen
Be a resident of the county in which you're registering to vote
Be at least 17 ½ years old to register and 18 years old to vote
Not be serving a sentence (including probation or parole) for conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude
Not have been found mentally incompetent by a judge

14. Election Controversy and Problems
Counting votes accurately
Requirement of ID cards for eligible voters???
Campaign Finance/Cost to Run
Political Action Committee (PAC) $
Interest Group $
Voter Apathy – low voter turn out
Determined by a number of factors

15. POLITICAL PARTIES & VOTER BEHAVIOR

16. Learning Voter Behavior
Conduct public opinion polls
Study election results
Study political socialization: things that influence how people view their political world and their role within

17. Why do we vote the way that we do?
Sociological Factors (who I am)
Income/Profession
Education
Gender/Age
Race/Ethnicity
Religion
Geography
Family/Friends

18. Why do we vote the way that we do?
Psychological Factors (how I think)
Candidates
Issues
Party Identification: biggest predictor!!!!!

19. Political Parties: What are they?
A group that organizes to control govt. by winning elections
Group is made up of diverse interests
More election-oriented than issue-oriented
WHY DO YOU THINK THEY ARE THEY TYPICALLY MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WINNING THAN ISSUES?

20. American Political Parties
They aren’t mentioned in the Constitution and not required so why join?

21. Political Parties: What do they do?
Nominate Candidates-President becomes leader of the party
Inform – educate public on issues
“Approval” of Candidates – hold them accountable
Hold Government Jobs– officials are appointed according to party
“Watchdog” – monitor the behavior of “others” in government (typically the other party)

22. Two-Party System in America – Why?
History/Tradition
Electoral Process
“winner-take-all” system of getting votes
Need plurality (most votes) in a state, not majority to win
Two parties are enough to represent sides of most major issues
Multi-party systems are unstable because parties change when issues change
One-party systems are “no party” systems

23. National Party Structure: Key Parts
National Convention: held in Presidential election years
Nominates Pres and VP
Writes PLATFORM  positions on issues
National Committee: runs the party and convention (sets rules)
National Chairperson: selected by the committee
Promotes unity & raises $ for elections
Congressional Campaign Committee: works to increase their party’s membership in Congress

24. State and Local Organization of Parties
State Level: mirrors national organization and seeks to promote party’s interest in the state
Local Level: structure varies by state
Typical ways:
County
Congressional district
Ward (part of a larger city)
Precinct (small voting area)

25. Categories of Third Parties
Any party other than one of the two major parties
Three basic categories:
Ideological Parties: want change based on basic beliefs
Libertarians want to reduce role of government
Green Party wants to reform democracy and protect the environment through non-violence
Single-Issue Parties: focus on one specific issue
Ex. Abolition of abortion, marijuana legalization, animal rights

26. Minor/Third Parties: Key Points
Splinter Parties: break off from major parties due to major disagreements
Tea Party: broke off from Republicans because they disagreed with direction of the part (taxes, etc.)

27. Influence and Success of 3rd Parties
Have never won the presidency, but have had some limited success at state and local levels
They do have influence:
Ideas/Innovation: major parties can adopt their ideas
Spoiler Role: take away votes from major candidates
Ex. Ross Perot in the 1992 Election
Are they a “wasted” vote?
Critics/Reformers: bring attention for needed change