1. Congressional Elections

2. Questions to consider: Who would want to run for Congress? How do they get elected? What kinds of candidates are advantaged by our electoral rules?

3. Rules governing election to Congress The Constitution

4. Constitution: election to the House of Representatives Election every 2 years Must be 25 years old Citizenship for 7 years Live in the state Selected same way as largest house of state legislature (popular vote) Apportioned among states based on population

5. Constitution: election to the Senate Election every 6 years –Three Classes Must be at least 30 years old Citizen for 9 years Live in the state Selected by state legislatures 2 per state

6. Rules governing election to Congress The Constitution Single-member, winner-take all districts Redistricting Primary election laws –Open vs. Closed FECA

7. Federal Election Campaign Act (as amended by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002) Individual Contribution limit = $2000 Total cycle contribution limit = $95,000 PAC Contribution limit = $5000

8. Cost of campaigns 2000 House: Ave. expenditures: $693,952 Incumbents’ ave. expenditures: $814,507 Challengers’ ave. expenditures: $369,823

9. Where does money come from?

10. TV ads21.8% Staff salaries17.8% Radio ads12.3% Overhead10.5% Fundraising9.4% Direct mail8.1% Campaign literature8.0% Travel2.5% Polling2.1% Voter reg./GOTV1.3% Other4% Typical House campaign budget

11. How do voters decide? Heuristics: Party ID Name recognition (campaigns!) Incumbency!

12. Sources of incumbent advantage Voters recognize their name Gerrymandering Privileges of office Ease of raising money

14. Who gets elected? White men

17. Who gets elected? White men Lawyers Christians Previously elected officials

18. Questions to consider: What kinds of candidates does this system of elections favor? Do these elections have the potential to hold members accountable to their constituents?