3. Conducting a Campaign Tackling the Issues Negative Campaigning
On the Campaign Trail
Candidates spend most of campaign time on swing states: where support for candidates is about equal, or in states where their support is greatest
Tackling the Issues
Candidates use stump speeches, or standard speeches usually less than 20 minutes long, express candidate’s beliefs On key issues.
Many candidates use slogans
Negative Campaigning
Candidates may use negative campaigning, attacks on opposing candidate’s weaknesses

4. Identifying the Main Idea
What are some of the major decisions that candidates and their staffs have to make when deciding what kind of election campaign they want to run?
Answer(s): possible answer—which issues to address, where to campaign, which media to use, and which demographic groups to target

5. Simulation Running a Presidential Campaign
Who will win the presidential election?
In order to run smoothly and successfully, election campaigns depend on the hard work and expertise of many different people. Using what you have learned in Section 1, complete the simulation to plan a campaign that will elect the next president of the United States.

6. Simulation (cont’d.) Roles Presidential candidate Charles Smith
Presidential candidate Nancy Carlson
Campaign manager (one for each campaign)
Finance chair (one for each campaign)
Pollster (one for each campaign)
Media coordinator (one for each campaign)
Volunteers (three for each campaign)
Voters of varying demographics

9. Funding Election Campaigns
Election campaigns can be very expensive.
Individual Donations: Largest source of funds; individuals contribute directly or by hosting fund-raisers
Contributions by PACs: Second most important source of funds
Political Party Contributions: Limited amounts funded by committees within a political party
Public Funding: Comes from federal government through income tax; only available to presidential candidates
Where the Money Comes From

10. Campaign Finance Laws Early Campaign Finance Reform FECA Amendments
1907: Congress first restricts campaign funds; expanded restrictions in 1940s
1971: Congress passed FECA, requires candidates, PACs, political parties to report contributions received above certain amount
FECA reports must identify contributors
FECA Amendments
1974: FEC (Federal Election Commission) created
1979: allowances made for unlimited spending on party-building activities
Soft Money
No restrictions placed on donations not given directly to candidates
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act
2002: banned soft money raised for issue ads

12. Interest Groups and Election Campaigns
Political Action Committees Many interest groups have a PAC.
How PACs Function Collects funds; distribute to political parties or candidates
Leadership PACs Not official campaign organizations; can raise unlimited funds
Influence of PACs Allow interest groups greater voice in government; critics say too powerful
Elections and 527 Groups Tax-exempt organizations that have no limit on political donations
Controversies over 527 Groups First came to forefront in 2004 election (e.g., MoveOn.org)
Impact of 527 Groups Critics blame for increase in negative campaigning
Campaign Reform and the Media BCRA requires ads to identify who is paying for them; supporters hope this reduces negative campaigning

13. Interest Groups and Election Campaigns Political Action Committees
Many interest groups have a PAC.
How PACs Function
Collect funds
Distribute to political parties or candidates
Leadership PACs
Not official campaign organizations
Can raise unlimited funds
Influence of PACs
Allow interest groups greater voice in government
Critics say too powerful

15. A Historic Election Night
The results hinged on which candidate won Florida and its 25 electoral votes. After announcing different winners several times, the media could not declare a winner. It took more than a month before the outcome in Florida was decided.
Florida officials used machines to recount ballots; results showed Bush as the winner
Democrats asked for hand recount; high number of faulty ballots
Each party filed lawsuit to force or prevent recounts
The Recount Controversy
Florida Supreme Court ordered hand recount; decision was appealed
U.S. Supreme Court declared Florida Supreme Court’s order unconstitutional
Gore accepts defeat
Bush v. Gore

17. The Voting Process Steps to Voting One Person, One Vote
Registering to Vote Americans must take initiative to register
Casting a Ballot Done either by casting paper ballot or by using mechanical voting machine
One Person, One Vote
Reapportionment Redistribution of congressional seats due to population changes
Redistricting Drawing new boundaries for legislative districts
Campaigns on Election Day
Election Day Activities Level of activity in an area depends on candidate’s or opponent’s level of support
Getting Out the Vote Volunteers phone supporters to remind them to vote

20. Presidential Campaign
Step 1: Individual DECLARES/Announces decision to run
New candidate? Challenger
RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION? ENCUMBANT
Step 2: CANDIDATE CAMPAIGNS TO GAIN DELEGATES
Step 3: Primary season
DIRECT PRIMARIES: SECRET BALLOT
OPEN: ANYBODY CAN VOTE FOR ANY PARTY
CLOSED: ONLY REGISTERED PARTY MEMBERS VOTE
CAUCUS: SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH OPEN VOTING

21. Presidential Campaign
Step 4: NOMINATING CONVENTION
With majority of delegates: Nominee clear cut
No majority: Contested convention
PARTY BUILD PLATFORM- IDENTIFY KEY ISSUES AND PROGRAMS
Step 5: General Election
FIRST TUESDAY AFTER FIRST MONDAY IN NOVEMBER

22. Political Participation
The United States is a democratic republic. In order to function well, its citizens must participate in politics.
Voting rights extended several times in U.S. history
Voting Rates
45 percent of eligible voters vote in presidential elections, less in nonpresidential or local elections
Voters under 25 least likely to vote
Impact of Voting
Biggest impact of voting on local elections, which have the most direct effect on people’s lives
Voting Rights and Responsibilities
Working on Campaigns
Activities include working in campaign office, making phone calls, talking to voters
Working at the Polls
Poll workers (hired employees) and Poll watchers (volunteers) at polls on election day
Becoming a Candidate
One way citizens can become more involved
Beyond the Right to Vote

26. All White African Asian Hispanic
American

27. What is the Electoral College?
The Electoral College is a group of people who elect the President
Number of electors based on reps in Congress
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE NEEDS MIN 270 ELECTORAL VOTES TO WIN
NO 270? HOUSE OF REP DECIDES

28. Why have the Electoral College?
Choices: Popular vote vs. Parliamentary
Popular vote: Writers of Constitution did not trust average American to choose President
Parliamentary: Legislative branch too strong
Compromise: State electors chosen by popular vote
Federal system: Protects rights of states

29. https://www. theguardian

30. How does the Electoral College Work?
Each state chooses people to be “electors” in the Electoral College
Most States Winner Take All
Candidate receiving most popular votes (PLURALITY) wins all of state’s Electoral votes.
Maine, Nebraska two exceptions
The Electoral College meets in January to formally choose the President

31. States that do not consistently support one particular political party
What are Swing States?
States that do not consistently support one particular political party
Important because they help decide who wins an election
List of usual swing states:
New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Virginia, Florida, Colorado.