1. Chapter 7
The Electoral Process

2. Section 1 The Nominating Process
A Critical 1st Step
Nomination- naming of those who will seek office
Prime function of political parties
Impact on the right to vote
Nomination process
General Elections- make final selection of office holder

3. A Critical First Step
During the process voters are narrowing the field of candidates before the general election
5 different ways to nominate candidates

4. Ways to Nominate Self-Announcement Caucus Oldest form
Found mainly in small towns and rural communities
Person running announces the decision to run
Unhappy with party’s choice
Failed to win nomination
Write in candidates
Group of like minded people who meet to select candidates
Originally closed meetings
As parties developed they took over the process
As U.S. grew it wasn’t a true representation
Jackson, Clay and J. Q. Adams boycotted it.

5. Ways to Nominate Convention Took over after Caucus failed
Anti-Masons were the first in 1831
All major party nominees have been chosen by convention ever since

6. Ways to Nominate Direct Primary
Closed Primary
Open Primary
Only declared party members can vote
26 states and D.C. use this method
Voters register which party they are affiliated with
Any qualified voter can take vote
Private: Ballots for both parties that are being polled
Public: Voter must ask for which ballot they want to participate in.
Blanket Primary
All voters are given the same ballot regardless of party

7. Closed Primary Advantages Disadvantages
Prevents one party from “raiding” the other’s primary to choose a weaker candidate
Helps make candidates more responsive to the party
Helps make voters more thoughtful
Compromises secrecy of the ballot since voters must declare their party
Excludes independent voters

8. Open Primary Advantages Disadvantages
Voters are not forced to declare a party in public
Open to independent voters
Permits raiding
Undercuts the concept of party loyalty and responsibility

9. Direct Primary Runoff Primary
In some states a majority is needed to win the nomination
If nobody gets the majority then another election will be held with the top 2 vote getters from the original election

10. Direct Primary Nonpartisan Primary
School and municipal positions
Candidates are not identified by party labels

11. Direct Primary Evaluation
Voter turnout is half of what a general election is
Long ballots, having to declare party, not being able to declare a party, etc.
Campaigns can be expensive
Well qualified people choose not to run
Creates division in party
Close contest can divide

12. Direct Primary Presidential Primary
Only one part of the nominating process
States can choose delegates who go to the national convention
And/or voters choose contenders for their parties nomination

13. Petition For those who are not nominated by a major party
Usually at the local level
Potential candidate needs to get a certain amount of signatures on their petition, required by state law
The higher the position, the more signatures needed

14. Section 2 Elections
“Don’t Vote? Don’t Complain!”

15. Administration of Elections
Democracy only works if elections are free, honest and accurate.
Laws about qualifications, registration and provisions for direct primary protect the integrity of voting

16. Administration of Elections
Extent of Federal Control
Most election law is state law
Constitution allows Congress to set times and dates for elections
Tues. after 1st Monday in November of even numbered years
Require secret ballots
Voting rights for people
Regulate campaign practices
Money

17. Administration of Elections
When Elections are held
Most states follow the day set by the fed. Gov’t
Prevents elections from fall on Sunday (Church and State)
Keeps elections from falling on the 1st of the month (payday)
No pressure from campaingns

18. Administration of Elections
Early Voting
Absentee voting- unable to get to regular polling places
Ill or disabled
Expecting to be away (business, college, vacation, etc)
Serving in Armed Forces
Mark the ballot, seal it and return to proper official

19. Administration of Elections
Early Voting (Continued)
1/3 of states allow early voting
More convenient
Cast ballots over a period of days

20. Administration of Elections
The Coattail Effect
When a strong candidate attracts voters to other candidates on a party’s ticket
Can also have a reverse effect
Keeps people more involved

21. Precincts and Polling Places
Precinct- a voting district
Smallest geographic units for conducting elections
Size = between 500 to 1,000 qualified voters
Polling place- place where the voters vote
Precinct board supervises the process
County clerk or board draws lines, fixes voting locations and picks members of the precinct board

22. Precinct and Polling Places
Board makes sure ballot machines/boxes are available
Check to make sure only qualified voters vote
Both parties have watchers
May challenge any person who they think is not a qualified voter

23. Casting the Ballot Ballot- device by which a voter registers a choice
Secret ballot

24. Casting the Ballot 5 types of ballots Australian Ballot
Printed at public expense
Lists the names of all candidates
Given out only at the polls
Marked in secret

25. Casting the Ballot Office Group Ballot (Massachusetts ballot)
Candidates for an office are grouped together under the title of the office
Used to be alphabetical but now rotated
Party-Column Ballot (Indiana Ballot)
Each party’s candidates are listed in a column under the party’s name
Often time there is a marker to vote for all of the party members
Politicians favor this ballot

26. Casting the Ballot Sample Ballots Bedsheet Ballots
Handed out before an election
Mailed, printed in newspapers
Bedsheet Ballots
Long list of candidates
Vote for as many offices as possible = more democratic
Vary American type of ballot

27. Voting Machines and Innovations
Thomas Edison had 1st patent for voting machine
Electronic vote counting (EDP)
Punch card ballots
Marked with ink (scantron)

28. Voting Machines and Innovations
Vote by Mail Elections
Ballot is sent to you, you vote, then mail it back
Usually local elections
Oregon now holds all elections by mail
Some fear it goes against the secret ballot
Some say it is the most fraud proof
Better voter turnout

29. Voting Machines and Innovations
Online voting
Fear of hackers, viruses, lack of access, fraud