1. Elections and Voting
A Perfect democracy?

2. Points to consider Why are there sooo many elections in US Politics?
In what ways has television changed the nature of election campaigns?
How is the President elected?
Does the system need to be improved? If so how?
Is Participation an issue?

3. More specific points
What changes have occurred in voting behaviour since the 1980s?
Why might Americans split the ticket when they vote?
Is direct legislation a good thing?
All these and more will come up in this topic

4. So who do Americans vote for?
Americans vote for over a MILLION elected officials across the country
The President (via the Electoral College)
A Representative
A Senator
State Legislators
A Governor
State Administrative Officials
Mayors
County Officials

5. Why soo many? Well that takes us back to the 18th Century
A belief that the greater the direct involvement of the citizen the better the likely outcome
More participation leads to superior Government
Plus more cynically, Americans have always been sceptical of too much power in one set of hands – Too much power for too long is a bad thing and leads to corruption

6. So how are these people elected
1st Stage – The Nomination
Carried out by the party
CAUCUS Groups (Senior Party Officials), send delegates to the CONVENTION, where candidates are formally chosen and the policies (The Platform) are chosen
Primaries (Preliminary elections held within a party to choose the candidate)
2nd Stage – The Vote
Nationwide via FPTP

7. Primaries Closed Primaries Only registered members can vote
Not secret, the voter expreses their preference and then is given an appropriate ballot paper for that party – This can be challenged by party officers of either side
This is used in Connecticut and Delaware

8. Primaries Open Primaries Open to all regardless of party affiliation
Elector is given two ballot papers
One is filled in, the other is discarded
It is possible to ‘wreck’ the other party’s chances by voting for its least desirable candidate
This is used in Vermont, Alaska and Rhode Island

9. Election Campaigns
Since television the old ‘Whistle Stop Tours’ (Where candidates i.e. Harry S Truman would address citizens from the back of a train) have ended
Now a single broadcast can reach millions of people

10. Candidate-Centred Campaigning
What qualities can you think an individual needs to become a successful candidate in an election?
Produce a spider diagram to show your answers

11. Oh the Professionalism of it all….
Direct mail shots Targetting each voter
Analyse voting trends in particular areas
Professional media gurus employed
Fundraising and organisation on polling day is through the Party
Party machinery open only after the Primaries
Political Action Committees (PACs), help candidates run and fund their own campaigns

12. The role of Money in the campaign

13. Where does all this cash come from?
Individual Candidates
Interested individuals
Interest Groups directly
Interest Groups operating through the PACs
Political parties

14. Why? Like duh, it’s to support a candidate on ideological grounds!
Oh you lot have such rose tinted spectacles
What about personal gain? Grace and favours
And if a candidate wins power who is going to benefit the electorate or the donor?
Does access to money benefit sitting incumbents or challengers?

15. Controlling the Money Federal Election Campaign Act (1971)
All candidates, individuals, campaign committees, parties and PACs have to declare their donations
The Federal Election Commission lacks real teeth, but at least the donations are more visible

16. 2000 Presidential Election
Al Gore spent $117.1 million on his campaign and lost!
George W Bush spent $168.4 million and only just won

17. Implications
‘Soft Money’ has increased – Money contributed for electioneering (registration, mass mailing etc)
Disadvantages against poorer candiates
Richer candidates can afford to have their message repeatedly broadcast on television

18. Sample Questions
‘vast amounts of money are spent on elections and electioneering’, are the elections better off for this expenditure?
‘Nowadays American elections are geared towards the requirements of television’ discuss