1. Theme: THE ELECTION PROCESS

2. 6.8 Running for office (the process involved in state and federal elections)

3. elections are a state power, even federal elections are run by the 50 (+1) states.

4. Political parties search for
step 1
RECRUITMENT
Political parties search for
party members who are willing to run for office.
Must be someone who will appeal to the voters.

5. The people interested in running for office seek support and commitment from electorate:
…in money
…in volunteer time
VOTERS

6. Those seeking an office visit important (key) states;
step 2
PRIMARY ELECTIONS
Those seeking an office visit important (key) states;
The people indicate their preference by voting in a “primary”.

7. CAUCUSES
In some states the important party leaders simply decide for themselves which “seeker” will receive their support.

8. step 3
CONVENTION
Each political party has a huge meeting where party leaders from each state gather to meet and conduct party business.
SUMMER

10. NOMINATION
At the convention, the political party chooses the person that it feels will have the best chance at winning the election

11. only one “candidate” per party for President and one for VP.

12. PLATFORM
At the convention, the political party decides what it will try to accomplish during the next four years. Each item is a “plank”.

13. POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
step 4
The party uses its money, volunteers, and influence to try to get its “candidate” elected.

14. DATE: Tuesday after the first Monday in November
ELECTION
step 5
DATE:
Tuesday after the first Monday in November

15. Voters cast ballots for all electors representing a particular party in each state

16. ELECTORAL COLLEGE (described in the U.S. Constitution)
step 6
ELECTORAL COLLEGE (described in the U.S. Constitution)
DATE:
Monday after second Wednesday in December

17. Electors of the party that won the popular vote in each state
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Electors of the party that won
the popular vote
in each state
cast ballots for
President and Vice President

18. On January 6 the ballots cast by electors are counted by Congress
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
On January 6 the ballots cast by electors are counted by Congress

19. INAUGURATION
step 7
At noon on January 20 the candidate who received the majority of the electoral vote is sworn in as President

20. Kennedy, January 20, 1961

21. Electoral College
The number of electors for each state is based on that state’s representation in Congress.

22. Electoral College
Each state receives an elector for each of their 2 Senators. (2)
Each state receives one elector for each member they have in the House of Representatives. (each state must have at least 1 representative in the House)
No state has less than 3 Electoral Votes.

23. Electoral College
The Electoral College is only used in National Elections.
The Winner of the POPULAR VOTE may lose the election.

24. Electoral College
A candidate must receive a majority of the Electoral Votes to win the election.
If there is a tie in the Electoral College the House of Representatives chooses the PRESIDENT.