1. American Government and Organization PS1301 Wednesday, 21 January

2. Announcements Friday is the deadline to register your response pads. After that you will be assumed to be absent from class if you do not have a registered response pad. Kerry’s win in the Iowa caucuses; Edwards surprising second place showing; Dean’s disappointing third place finish. The president’s State of the Union Address.

3. Review: Does the republic need reforming? Low turnout Low turnout Citizen dissatisfaction (in comparative perspective) Citizen dissatisfaction (in comparative perspective) Failure to achieve electoral majorities - Loss of mandate Failure to achieve electoral majorities - Loss of mandate Lack of competitive elections – mostly congressional level Lack of competitive elections – mostly congressional level Crisis events –1998 Clinton impeachment and the 2000 presidential election Crisis events –1998 Clinton impeachment and the 2000 presidential election

4. Constitutional Crisis 1998 Impeachment of Bill Clinton Republican House majority elected with 48.9% nearly toppled a popular president over a matter most Americans found trivial. 2000 Presidential Election Presidency placed in the hands of party that received fewer votes.

5. Prospects for Reform Is the idea of reforming the republic radical? How can the system be changed?

6. Process for Amendments

7. Reforms at the National Level The U.S. Constitution was designed to preserve the status quo. However, it does allow for changes to be made through supra-majorities. There have been a total of 17 Amendments since the original Bill of Rights: Examples: Voting extended to nonwhites (1870, 15 th Amendment) Voting extended to nonwhites (1870, 15 th Amendment) Direct election of senators (1913, 17 th Amendment) Direct election of senators (1913, 17 th Amendment) Women given right to vote (1920, 19 th Amendment) Women given right to vote (1920, 19 th Amendment) Elimination of poll tax (1964, 24 th Amendment) Elimination of poll tax (1964, 24 th Amendment) Extend voting rights to 18 yr olds (1971, 26 th Amendment) Extend voting rights to 18 yr olds (1971, 26 th Amendment)

8. Electoral Reform without Amending Constitution Voting Rights Act of 1965 Suspension of “literacy tests” Suspension of “literacy tests” Voter registration (local) subject to federal regulation and Justice Dept. protection Voter registration (local) subject to federal regulation and Justice Dept. protection Campaign Finance Reform 2002 McCain-Feingold: Ban on “soft” money to political parties (unlimited contributions) McCain-Feingold: Ban on “soft” money to political parties (unlimited contributions)

9. Effects of Voting Rights Act Voter registration rates Voter registration rates (1965 vs. 1988). Voter registration rates

10. Reforms at State Level More flexible Term limits Term limits Early voting; Texas as an example Early voting; Texas as an exampleTexas Voting by mail Voting by mail Direct democracy – initiative and recall Direct democracy – initiative and recall Direct primaries Direct primaries