1. 10.4
Campaigning in General Elections

2. How?
Win the primary
Campaign in general election

3. Elections “C” = regularly scheduled elections
Congress set date for Presidential election
First Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years

4. 3 types of general elections
Presidential
President, VP, House, 1/3 Senate
Held every 4 years on even numbered years
2016
2012
2008
2004
2000

5. Midterm elections
Take place in the even numbered years between presidential elections
House of Representitives
1/3 of senate
Many governors and state officials

6. Off Year elections Held in odd numbered years County supervisors
City mayors
City councils

7. Campaign Strategy Changes
Primary = focus on winning party member votes
General Election = focus on opposing opponent

8. Larger Appeal Must appeal to larger cross section of voters
Modify “message”
Become more “Moderate”
Move to the middle can not upset the party base

9. Easier Said than done
Can look like a “flip-flopper”

10. Issues vs Image In the weeks leading to election
Increased public appearances
Image = important
Give standard “stump speech”
Remain in public eye
Use media

11. Coattail Effect
Congressional candidates will make appearances with the presidential candidate
Powerful figure will give extra boost to their campaign

12. Doesn’t always work
Unpredictable
Why?

13. Exposure
Debates on TV
Opportunity for votes to see & hear candidates discuss the issues
Image is important here…..
Can help or hurt
Lose debate….may lose election

14. Getting Out The Vote Last few days before election….
Campaign workers focus on making sure all voters who are likely to support their candidate go out and actually cast their ballot

15. How to Vote Go to Polling Place in precinct
Absentee Ballot (mail in ballot)
Oregon = all are mail in
Few states = early voting

16. Poll Watchers Help prevent voter fraud Monitor voting process
No intimidation allowed

17. How to vote Paper ballots Electronic machines
2000 = punch card malfunction in several states
Butterfly ballot = confusing

18. Solve problem Help America Vote Act 2002
Help states replace old voting machines and punch card ballots with new voting technology
It’s been slow………………

19. Who Wins? Votes are counted Winner is declared
In MOST presidential elections….the winner will receive the majority of the popular vote

20. 2004
George W Bush won 51% of popular vote

21. 3rd Parties
When there are 3 or more candidates competing the winner sometimes receives lass than 50%
Bill Clinton % %
Ross Perot = 3rd party candidate

22. Winner Take All System Major effect on Presidential Elections
In 48 states……..
Candidate who wins the popular vote in that state wins all of that state’s electoral votes

23. 2 states Nebraska (5) Maine (4) Split the votes proportionally

24. Electoral College 538 A states electoral votes =
# of Reps + # of senators
Michigan has 16 electoral votes
14 Reps + 2 Senators = 16 EV

25. Strategy of EC
538 Electoral Votes
270 needed to win

26. That means…
Candidates will focus on most populous states (more electoral votes)
A candidate can win the election by winning the 11 largest states and losing the other 39 !!!!

27. Generally
Candidates pay most attention to a few battleground states where the vote will be close
And ignore the states where the outcome is predictable

28. Example
Texas = R
California = D
Either
Florida
Ohio
Page 184

29. EC Reinforces the 2 party system Most officials come from R or D
Promotes stability in government
BUT
Excludes some candidates from office

30. Contrast Parliamentary System in Europe Proportional representation
Vote for parties not candidates
Whatever votes the party gets……it fills that percentage of seats with individuals from that party

31. EC Debate Would popular vote be better? Why EC?
Framers did not trust voters…gave responsibility to group of electors who they felt were better suited to make that decision

32. Meaning??
A citizens “vote” for president is actually a “vote” for electors who have promised to support that candidate.

33. SO…. Back to 270 to win….. What if no one gets 270??
The House selects with each state casting one vote.

34. Controversy
1876
1888
2000
2016
The winner of the election actually lost the popular vote

35. Change it?? Would need an amendment
Candidates would skip over small states
Or…..use the district method

36. District Method? Yes…like Maine & Nebraska
Whoever wins the congressional district gets the vote……so a split vote
Problem?.....campaign only in specific districts rather than entire state

37. OR…. National Popular Vote
States cast their electoral vote for the winner of the national popular vote.
No amendment needed
Maryland already passed but more states need to agree…..

38. Problem?
State role in elections is reduced…thus….reduces federalism….

39. check How often is a presidential election?
How often is a midterm election?
How many electoral college votes are out there in total?
How many do you need to win?
Who decides the election if no candidate receives that number?
Name 3 battle ground states