1. Local, State, National
The Electoral Process

2. The nomination process-two party system
Self-announcement
Individuals that state they are running for a particular office
Example upcoming presidential election, prominent democrats will “announce” that they are running for office of president– maybe Hillary Clinton
Caucus-started during colonial times
Group of similarly minded people that meet to select the candidates that they will support in upcoming election
Legislative caucus- a meeting of a party’s members in the State legislature
Ended by (King Caucus-derogatory tag given to the use of caucus by the party—Andrew Jackson

3. Convention replaces caucus
First convention held in replaced by direct primary in 1910’s (Progressive era)
How it works
Party’s members meet in a local caucus to pick candidates for local office, at same time select delegates to represent them at county convention
Nominees selected for local representatives, mayor, sheriff
At county convention delegates nomination candidates for state convention
County offices, supervisor, county tax collector
At state convention delegates sent to national convention
Party nominates candidate for governor, and other state offices
At national convention
Delegates select their choice for president and vice president

4. Nomination process (cont)
Direct primary
An intra-party election –so Democrats and Republicans both hold one
Held within a party to select that party’s candidates for the general election
Most State law requires major party US primary to choose their candidates for US Senate and House of Reps.

5. Types of Primaries
Primaries (an election that narrows the field of candidates before a general election)
Closed (24 states follow this today)
Only those who register in advance can vote for party nominees--- encourages party loyalty
Open (26 states use this)
Voters (on ELECTION DAY) can decide whether they want the Democratic or Republican candidate
Blanket (up to 2000, 3 states used this –declared unconstitutional in CA-violation of 1st and 14th amendments)
The most “anti”party of all primaries
Voters get a list of candidates from all parties and are allowed to pick some Democrats, some Republicans, some minor parties

6. Non-partisan elections
School boards
Municipal offices
½ state judges
All still have to participate in a non-partisan primary
the candidate with clear majority either runs as unopposed in general election or is declared the winner (elected)

7. Presidential primary and petition
Not a nominating device
An election that is held as part of process by which presidential candidates are chosen
Winners of state primaries decide their proportional representation by delegate/most states are NOT winner take all in presidential primary
each state sends their delegates to each party’s national convention to choose their presidential candidate
national convention roll call vote
Petition
Used most often at local level
Nonpartisan school board positions, municipal offices of medium sized cities
Nominations occur by petition
State to state, specific number of qualified voters

8. Elections Federal control Election Day Early Voting
Precincts/Polling Places
The Ballot
Automated voting
Electronic counting
Vote-by-mail elections
Online voting

9. Money and Elections