1. 2009 #2
In the United States political system, there are several linkage institutions that can connect citizens to government. Elections constitute one such institution. Because of low voter turnout, elections represent an imperfect method of linking citizens to their government. Even when there is low voter turnout, however, other linkage institutions can connect citizens to government.
(a) Describe how each of the following is related to the likelihood of voting.
Age
Education
(b) Identify one current government electoral requirement that decreases voter turnout. Explain how it decreases voter turnout.
(c) Identify one linkage institution other than elections and explain two ways it connects citizens to government.

2. Elections When is the election day? What are the term lengths for:
HoR:
Senate:
President:
Why is this important?

3. Term Limits What did the 22nd Amendment (1951) do?
How does Congress’s attitude towards the president change when they know that he can’t run?
Lame Duck
Why did the SC not allow states to set a term limit for their members of Congress?

4. Winner-Take-All Most Votes Wins What are single-member districts?
What is proportional representation?
Example: A state with 3 districts
Pros and Cons?

5. Running for Congress HoR Incumbents are rarely not re-nominated
What is an incumbent?
Senate
Competition is intense
Incumbency doesn’t mean quite as much

6. Running for Congress Incumbents usually win 90% win in HoR
75% win in Senate
Polls report that most Americans disapprove of what Congress is doing
Yet the same polls say that most Americans believe their rep. should be re-elected
Why doesn’t this make sense?

7. Why Incumbents Win Money Able to raise more money
Outspend challengers 2 to 1
Visibility
Incumbents are better known and seen more than challengers
The Franking Privilege
Incumbents can send mail, s and calls for free

8. Why Incumbents Win Constituent Service
Incumbents are able to win supporters by bringing home money for their district
Gerrymandering
Changing district lines to support the incumbent

10. So why does the incumbent win even when voters don’t like what Congress is doing?

11. Impact of Incumbency Advantage
Congress contains a large number of experienced leaders
Radical change is discouraged while close ties with interest groups
No incentive to change existing campaign finance laws
Why not?

12. The Road to the Presidency
Stage 1: The Nomination
When do presidential candidates start campaigning?
¾ of states use the primary system to choose delegates
What do the rest use?
Why do states want their primary in March rather than July?
Caucuses or conventions

13. Primaries What are the two kind of primaries?
The Democrats require a proportional rep. primary
Most of the rest are winner-take-all
25% of voters go to primaries

14. Caucuses
A caucus is a meeting of party members to decide which candidate they will support
Used in a dozen states
Members get to talk to their candidates
What kind of members show up to caucuses and primaries?
How does that change the candidates?

15. A Race for Delegates Democrats – 2,382 to win
Republicans – 1,237 to win
Delegates are pledged in support of the candidate
What happens if no one reaches the threshold?

16. Party Convention
Delegates get together and submit their ballot for a candidate
If there is no distinct winner, there is a lot of schmoozing
The delegates also agree on the party platform
The nominee picks the VP
Tries to balance the ticket
What is that?

17. The General Election What is the point of all the debates?
What is a danger during the debates?
After seemingly endless debates, we finally vote
Popular vote vs. electoral vote

18. Electoral College
Each state has as many electoral votes as its combined total of reps and senators
Electors are chosen by the party
Do they have to vote for their party?
Do they vote for their candidate?
What states do nominees focus on?

19. Should we have the Electoral College?

20. Why We Haven’t Gotten Rid Of It
It would require an amendment
Benefits the small states
Benefits racial minorities and interest groups in key states
No consensus on how to fix it