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2. Chapter 4: Parties and Elections in the States The Constitutional Context: State and Federal Roles in Regulating Elections Elections at the State and Local Levels The Role of Political Parties Party Balance and Imbalance

3. The Constitutional Context: State and Federal Roles in Regulating Elections All elections for national offices are held by and within the states. The Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitution make it clear that states have the power to regulate the conduct of elections. There are no purely national elections. But the federal government exercises control over the circumstances under which national elections are held which means the power is shared between the nation and the states. All the Constitution requires for state and local elections is that they have elections. Therefore, states differ even more in the ways they regulate local elections. Amendments Fifteenth Amendment – race Seventeenth Amendment – senators chosen directly Nineteenth Amendment – women Twenty-fourth Amendment – poll tax Twenty-sixth Amendment – 18- to 21-year olds LO 4.1 Back to learning objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

4. Elections at the State and Local Levels Primary elections General elections Special elections Initiatives Referendums Recall elections LO 4.2 Back to learning objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

5. Differences in Who May Vote States determine who is eligible to vote. 48 states prohibit prison inmates from voting.48 states prohibit prison inmates from voting 36 states have a mental competency requirement.36 states have a mental competency requirement Voter registration rules People have to live in the area for at least a month. Voter identification laws People have to prove who they are. LO 4.2 Back to learning objectives Elections at the State and Local Levels

6. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Differences in How We Vote Help Americans Vote Act All the Constitution requires for state and local elections is that they have elections. Therefore, states differ even more in the ways they regulate local elections. Poll workers Ballots Party column organized by parties, allowing a straight ticket vote Office block all the candidates running for an office together in one block Voting by mail/absentee ballot/early votingearly voting LO 4.2 Back to learning objectives Elections at the State and Local Levels

7. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Differences in Nomination Process Closed primary Open primary LO 4.2 Back to learning objectives Elections at the State and Local Levels

8. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Differences in the Timing and Frequency of Elections Presidential election is the “Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, in every fourth year.” States determine the dates of all other elections. LO 4.2 Back to learning objectives Elections at the State and Local Levels

9. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Differences in What We Vote On Voting on ballot questions Recall elections Voting on bond issues LO 4.2 Back to learning objectives Elections at the State and Local Levels

10. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Differences in Campaign Finance Disclosure laws Contribution limits Public financing laws LO 4.2 Back to learning objectives Elections at the State and Local Levels

11. LO 4.2 Back to learning objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

12. LO 4.2 Back to learning objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

13. The Role of Political Parties Party Organization and Officers An Earlier Era: Machines and Bosses In the 19 th century, political machines became established in a number of U.S. cities. One party dominated the political life of the city. A boss is the party leader who used patronage, government contracts, and access to power to dictate policy. Party Organizations Today In every state a party chair and vice chair run a state organization. They are also more likely to have a paid staff and be professional. LO 4.3 Back to learning objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

14. Party Activities in Elections Structure for Elections Candidate Recruitment Voter Registration Voter Mobilization Campaign Resources LO 4.3 Back to learning objectives The Role of Political Parties

15. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Parties and Voting Choices Party Identification Candidate Appeal Issue Voting Judicial Elections Nonpartisan Local Elections LO 4.3 Back to learning objectives The Role of Political Parties

16. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Parties in State Government Executive Branch Governors are the state leaders of their party Legislature Party caucus the meeting of party leaders and legislators to discuss party policy Redistricting realign district boundaries to make them equal and reflect population changes Reapportionment LO 4.3 Back to learning objectives The Role of Political Parties

17. Party Balance and Imbalance Two-party state Two-party states are those in which both parties regularly assemble winning majorities One-party state One-party states are those in which one party wins all or nearly all the offices. Since the end of WWII, there has been an accelerating trend toward two-party politics. In one-party states, accountability is seriously affected because voters have no choices and minority parties do not fight. Map by party identification Map by party state legislature Map by party governors LO 4.4 Back to learning objectives Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman