2. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
FROM CAMPAIGN TO
THE WHITE HOUSE .

3. I. The Nominating Process
Importance
Define: The naming of those who will seek office
Impact on the right to vote
Two-party system
One-party constituencies

4. B. Five categories of nominations
Self-announcement
Oldest form
Ross Perot / 1992 as an example

5. Categories of Nominations (cont’d)
Caucus
Group of like-minded people who make the selection
Problem: a few influential individuals are making the decision
Used very little today

6. Categories of Nominations (cont’d)
Convention
Delegates selected at the local level
All major party presidential nominees chosen this way since 1832
Party bosses gained control at local level of delegate selection
Direct primaries in most states

7. Categories of Nominations (cont’d)
Direct Primary
Election held within the party
Two forms
Closed primary
Open primary

8. Criticism of the Primary System -low turnout
Types:
Direct Primary
Closed primary
Open primary
Offered as an improvement to the Boss system (163)
More democratic because the candidates were indirectly chosen by the voters.
Criticism of the Primary System
-low turnout
-public infighting among party candidates
-name recognition plays too big of a role
-Early states have a disproportionate impact on the party nominees while others are virtually shut out of the process.
-2008 democrats are an exception

9. Categories of Nominations (cont’d)
Nominating petitions
Local elections

10. II. Role of Conventions Narrow the final selection of the president
Republican
Democrat
Determine party platform
Create party unity

11. III. General Elections
First Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even numbered years.
All matters relating to the national election are dealt with in the laws of the States

12. Every 4 years a Presidential election
GENERAL ELECTION
Mid Term Election
Every 4 years a Presidential election
Run by States administered by City Clerk
51 Separate Elections
23rd Amendment
Stephanie C. Kelly, City Clerk

13. Secret ballot
Prevent voter intimidation

14. Absentee Ballot You can get one from the City Clerk Used by: Elderly
Handicapped
Sick
College Students
Military Personnel
Sent in the Mail

15. Only in the Presidential Election
Where does the Money Come From?
Do you want $3 of your federal tax to go to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund?
Yes No
As a U.S. taxpayer, you are asked to make this choice when you fill out your 1040 federal income tax return.
This does not reduce the amount of your refund!
Public Funding

16. 1040 EZ Federal Income Tax

17. What is the Cash For? For the primary and General Elections
If the candidates accept the public funds, they can not accept any more private money
In the last election neither candidate accepted the money

18. STATE OF MICHIGAN 2008
November 6,  General Election Day - polls open 6:30am - 7:30pm   
Must be registered by October 12, 2012, 5pm 
Elections

19. IV. Precincts and Polling Places
Precincts – a voting district. Usually 500 to 1,000 voters.
Polling Place – where the voters who live in a precinct actually vote

20. Electoral College

21. V. Electoral College The Electors
Equal to the number of congressmen (senate & house)
State leg. Decides method for choosing electors (popular election in all states since 1860)
“winner-take-all” system

22. Electoral College (cont’d)
Electors meet at their state capital on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December to cast votes
Vote separately for Pres. And vice pres.
Electors are pledged to their candidate (not by law)

23. Just Who Are These “Electors”?
These are the people that actually vote for president
They are party loyalists in a particular state that are rewarded for their service by being allowed to officially vote in December for President
Each state party selects a panel of electors that will be ready to vote if their candidate wins the popular vote in that particular state. Michigan will have 17 from each party.

24. Electoral College (cont’d)
North Carolina has 15
Votes are sent by registered mail to Pres. Of the Senate
Open & count on Jan. 6

25. Electoral College (cont’d)
Getting elected
Majority of electors needed to win election 270 of 538 (need to know)
If no one candidate receives a majority, the House of Reps. Decides from top 3 candidates.
Senate will select V.P.

26. Current Projections

27. Electoral College (cont’d)
Major Defects
Electoral vote will contradict the popular vote
Happened 4 times: 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000

28. Electoral College (cont’d)
“faithless electors”
In most states, electors are not required by law to vote for popular vote winner
Has happened 14x but has not effected an election (yet)

29. Electoral College (cont’d)
House decides non-majority outcomes
Last time 1824; almost in 1968, 2000
Three objections to election by House
voting done by state
State may lose vote
Majority of states required
Not seen as democratic

32. 2000 Election Results Nation Gore 50,996,116 Bush 50,456,169 Florida
Buchanan ,294
Nader ,896

33. 2000 Election Results Importance of Florida Gore 267 Bush 246

34. 2000 Election Results

35. 2000 Election Results

37. 2000 Election Results

38. 2000 Election Results

39. Legal Battle Over Florida
Bush Administration appeals to U.S. Supreme Court
Court Rules in Bush v. Gore (2000) that recount can not be done equally, considering each county was using different standards (14th Amendment)
Also, not enough time
No Recall allowed
5 to 4 Decision
Bush Wins Presidency
Gore/Liberman
537 Vote lead for Bush
undervotes
Overvotes
Florida Supreme Court Orders a recount based upon “the clear intention of the voter”
Gore Stands to Pick-up more than 537 votes in Palm Beach alone

41. Electoral College (cont’d)
Proposed reforms
District plan
Like congressional elections
2 at-large electors
1 per district
Strength – more accurate reflection of popular vote
Weakness – doesn’t guarantee winner of popular vote wins election
Gerrymandering – political parties try to control Cong. Dists.
Electoral College (cont’d)

42. Electoral College (cont’d)
Proportional plan
Each candidate receives a proportion of the electoral vote
# of electors = proportion of vote
Strength – more representative of popular vote; no more faithless electors
Still no guarantee popular vote winner wins election; may effect two party system

43. Electoral College (cont’d)
National bonus plan
Keeps much of current system, including winner take all aspect
102 “bonus” electoral votes would be awarded to the winner of popular vote
New majority # - 321
If no majority; run-off election between top 2 candidates
No electors; automatic vote
Almost guarantees winner of popular vote wins election