1. Chapter 9 Section 4
Mr. Gordon

2. The Electoral Process

3. Organizing and Financing Campaigns
Political Campaigns need
to spend on TV ads, campaign staff, advisors, posters, image consultants and more
Hard money given to campaign (Limited) Soft money given to party

4. Choosing Candidates Self-announcement
To become a candidate you must first announce your candidacy
Then you must organize a strong campaign to attract enough voters to win

5. Choosing Candidates
Caucuses – select candidates that will run for election
Conventions - usually refers to a presidential nominating convention, but it can also refer to state, county, or congressional district nominating conventions. 
Primary Elections - a preliminary election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select the candidates for a principal, especially the presidential, election
Direct primary, closed primary and open primary

6. Voting and Voter Behavior
Two basic requirements to vote are U.S. Citizen and be at least 18 years old.
The main factors why people vote the way they do are 1) Party Identification ) Issues 3) Candidates background 4) Voter’s background

7. More About Elections
General Elections, Special Elections and Holding an Election
General election date is the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years
Plurality – 50% of votes (Georgia)
Absentee ballot – voting before an election occurs

8. Campaigns and the Public Good
Election Campaigns serve the public good by allowing citizens to express opinions and to inform voters about candidates and issues.
If government regulated spending and banned negative TV ads people might see elections as a more positive experience.