1. The American Political System
Explain ways laws have been influenced by political parties, constituents, interest groups, lobbyists, the media and public opinion

2. Media and Public Opinion
media - main means of mass communication - TVs, radio, newspapers, magazines, internet
propaganda

3. propaganda - information used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view - generally in a biased or misleading

6. Types of Propaganda bandwagon - “Everybody is doing it”
name-calling - gives political candidates unpleasant labels to discourage others to vote for them
stacked cards - only one side is supported
glittering generality - provides an emotional appeal to voters - use words like freedom and patriotism
“just plain folks” - appeals to the general public showing political candidates doing things alongside the community

7. Activity I will assign you groups.
Your job is to agree on a current, modern-day issue you would like to make a type of propaganda for.
Use images, words, phrases, symbols, and colors.
You will present in these groups.
Your propaganda will be interpreted by the class.
This is for a grade!

8. Political Parties
an organization of citizens who have similar views on issues and who work to put their ideas into effect through government action
we have a two-party system - Republican Party - opposes the federal regulation of traditionally state and local matters, such as policing and education, oppose gun-control legislation, likely support organized prayer in public schools and to oppose recognition of equal rights for gays, supports U.S. national security interests - Democratic Party - strong federal government, federally financed social services and benefits for the poor, the unemployed, the aged, and other groups, and the protection of civil rights
vote for laws that reflect their party’s beliefs or main goals

9. Party Systems The United States has a two-party system
single-party system - single political party controls the government - law usually forbids formation of all other political parties - also known as dictatorships or totalitarian governments
multi-party system - more than two strong political parties - found in some European countries - two or more parties often agree to compromise and work together - this is known as a coalition
third parties - parties other than the primary two (Republican/Democratic) - independents - limit constitutional government - libertarians - “Maximum Freedom, Minimum Government” (civil rights)

10. Interest Groups
organizations of people with a common interest that try to influence government policies and decisions
also known as a lobby
lobbyist - person who is paid by an interest group to represent that group’s interests - role is to bring pressure against legislatures to change laws to fit their ideas and wants

11. Campaign Commercials Ted Cruz Hillary Clinton Bernie Sanders
Donald Trump

12. What political party do you relate to the most?
Go to and see which candidate you are matched up with after your quiz. How surprised are you? Are you matched with the political party you believe you may be a part of?

13. Voting
formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action, expressed typically through a ballot or a show of hands or by voice
What makes you eligible?
How Do You Register? - mail - in person - online
When is the deadline? days before election
Bring an ID
Early Vote - up to 12 days before an election (in NC)
Absentee Voting - States allow you to cast an absentee ballot only if you cannot vote at the polling place - examples include illness or physical injuries

14. Suffrage defined as the right to vote in political elections
mentioned and passed in the 15th (based on race, color, etc) and 19th (right to vote based on sex)

15. Where Do I Vote? based on the address found on your registration card
Examples of locations - churches, schools, libraries
voting access with a disability - physically handicapped (visually impaired, blind)

16. Voting Rights Act and Assistance
jurisdictions offer ballots in other languages or verbal assistance
other languages are provided for online voting
assistance can be provided for first time voters, voters with disabilities, and voters at places with new voting equipment
Voting Rights Act of forbid racial discrimination in voting

17. Civil Rights Legislation
13th Amendment - abolished slavery
14th Amendment - citizenship and equal protection
Plessy v. Ferguson - separate but equal
19th Amendment - voting rights for women
Brown v. Board of Education- declared Plessy v. Ferguson unconstitutional
Civil Rights Act of forbids sex based pay on different jobs
Civil Rights Act of no discrimination based on race, sex, origin, religion
13 - abolished slavery
14 - protects citizenship
19 - equal voting rights

18. Dear Absent Student
Student X is not here today. In five to seven sentences, explain to that student what we discussed about voting and voting rights.
This is graded! Be descriptive. Remember, that student knows absolutely nothing about what we learned!

19. Election Basics

20. Electoral College
group of electors that casts official votes that elect the president and vice president
elector - a person chosen from each state and the District of Columbia who formally elect the president and vice president
electoral votes - votes cast by the electoral college for president and vice president
popular vote - vote of the citizens of a country

21. Primaries
primary election - election in which the voters of various parties choose candidates to run for office in the general election
direct primary - preliminary election in which a party's candidates for public office are nominated by direct vote of the people
closed primary - a primary in which only members of a particular party may vote
open primary - voters can take part in either the Democratic or Republican nominating contests regardless of their party affiliation

22. Nomination Process
winning the primaries is not the end of the process of becoming a presidential candidate
platform - written statement outlining a political party’s views on issues and describing the programs it proposes
plank - political party’s specific proposal for legislation or a statement of a short-term goal regarding a single issues - are the components of political parties
Presidential Candidates
Vice Presidential Candidates

23. Local Voting
mayor has equal voting power with all members of council
has power to veto power on the decisions of the city council
precinct - local voting districts in a county, city, or ward
initiative - process by which citizens of a state may propose a law by collecting signatures on a petition

24. State Voting
What did we learn about elections and how voting works? (We just reviewed it)
Same nomination process and campaigns
What are the elected members called and where do they serve in general parties?
How long are these member’s terms and what is the age requirement?
serve six years 30 years

25. National Voting Who are we electing? How long do they serve?
What are the requirements to be this individual?
Who are some of the candidates today? (Or who do you remember from the debates?)

26. Campaign Financing financed at all levels (national, state, and local)
lobbyists (remember this word?)
must first meet various eligibility requirements, such as agreeing to limit campaign spending to a specified amount.
presidential start-up cost - $10 million (written April 1, 2015)

28. Terms Review majority petition spoils system electorate (263)
election (general and federal)
electors
campaign
conventions
civil hearing
criminal hearing