1. The Presidential Election Cycle in the U.S.A.

2. Something to Consider…
Which do you value more?
democracy or freedom of speech
How are elections a test of both values?

3. Types of Elections?
4 kinds: regional/local, state, congressional, Presidential
(est. 80,000 different kinds of elections in America / year)
2 kinds in a Presidential election:
Primary-Caucus elections—contests within a party
General election—contest between parties

4. Steps in the Process 1. Campaigning and fundraising--throughout
2. Caucuses and Primaries
3. Political party conventions
4. Election Day
5. Vote of the Electoral College

5. Two Kinds of Campaign Issues
Position issues (crunchy elections)
rival candidates have opposing views,
voters are divided and a partisan realignment may result
Position issues in 2008: social security, defense spending, public school choice systems
Valence issues: (squishy elections)
Candidate supports the public, widely held view
Increasingly important because television leads to a reliance on popular symbols and admired images
Valence issues in 2008: War on Terror, Housing and other Financial Bubbles

6. The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example)
Many Democrats seek their party’s nomination
Campaigns & Debates
Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The Ring”
Many Republicans seek their party’s nomination
Campaigns & Debates

7. The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example)
Many Democrats seek their party’s nomination
Campaigns & Debates
Primaries & Caucuses
Primaries & caucuses held in each state
Iowa holds the 1st caucus (Jan. 3, 2008)
New Hampshire holds the 1st primary (Jan. 8, 2008)
Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The Ring”
Many Republicans seek their party’s nomination
Campaigns & Debates
Primaries & Caucuses

8. The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example)
Many Democrats seek their party’s nomination
Campaigns & Debates
Primaries & Caucuses
Obama secures the nomination
Primaries & caucuses held in each state
Iowa holds the 1st caucus (Jan. 3, 2008)
New Hampshire holds the 1st primary (Jan. 8, 2008)
Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The Ring”
Many Republicans seek their party’s nomination
Campaigns & Debates
Primaries & Caucuses
McCain secures the nomination

9. The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example)
Many Democrats seek their party’s nomination
Campaigns & Debates
Primaries & Caucuses
Obama secures the nomination
Obama selects Biden as his running mate
Primaries & caucuses held in each state
Iowa holds the 1st caucus (Jan. 3, 2008)
New Hampshire holds the 1st primary (Jan. 8, 2008)
Candidates “Throw Their Hat Into The Ring”
Many Republicans seek their party’s nomination
Campaigns & Debates
Primaries & Caucuses
McCain selects Palin as his running mate
McCain secures the nomination

10. The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example)
Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008)
Parties Hold National Conventions
Develop the party platform
Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally)
Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced
Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

11. The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example)
Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008)
Parties Hold National Conventions
Develop the party platform
Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally)
Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced
Candidates campaign against each other and debate the issues
Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

12. The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example)
Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008)
General Election
1st Tues. after the 1st Mon. in Nov. (Nov. 4, 2008)
The “popular vote” is conducted
Eligible citizens vote for the “electors” for Obama & McCain
Parties Hold National Conventions
Develop the party platform
Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally)
Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced
Candidates campaign against each other and debate the issues
Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

13. The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example)
Obama: 69,456,897 Popular Votes
Convention held in Denver (Aug. 25 – 28, 2008)
General Election
1st Tues. after the 1st Mon. in Nov. (Nov. 4, 2008)
The “popular vote” is conducted
Eligible citizens vote for the “electors” for Obama & McCain
Parties Hold National Conventions
Develop the party platform
Speeches are given in support of the nominee (a pep rally)
Delegates vote & the nominee is officially announced
Candidates campaign against each other and debate the issues
McCain: 59,934,814 Popular Votes
Convention held in Minnesota (Sept. 1 – 4, 2008)

14. The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example)
Obama: 365 Electoral Votes
Electoral College Votes
1st Mon. after the 2nd Wed. in December (Dec. 15, 2008)
Electors vote at their respective state capitols
Must receive 270 votes to win
Usually just a formality, the results are not in doubt
McCain: 173 Electoral Votes

15. The Electoral Process (Using Election 2008 as an Example)
Obama: 365 Electoral Votes
Electoral College Votes
1st Mon. after the 2nd Wed. in December (Dec. 15, 2008)
Electors vote at their respective state capitols
Must receive 270 votes to win
Usually just a formality, the results are not in doubt
Inauguration
Occurs Jan. 20 at 12:00 (noon)
Sworn-in by the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
McCain: 173 Electoral Votes

16. League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Citizen Education Fund
Narrowing the Field
During and after the primary elections, many candidates are forced to drop out because of lack of support.
National conventions serve to nominate their party’s candidate for president and vice president.
League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Citizen Education Fund

17. National Conventions
Delegates attend the National Conventions to cast their votes for a candidate.
Candidate with a majority of delegate votes wins that party’s nomination for President.
Vice Presidential candidates are chosen by the Presidential nominee and are nominated at the National Convention.

20. What factors influence voting?
Rank the following in importance:
Likability of candidate
Belief in importance of the office/position
Impact on personal interests
Distinction from other candidate
Party platform
***Voter turnout is half the battle…

21. How do people vote? “It’s the economy, stupid!”
Most voters who switch parties do so in their own interests
They know what issues affect them personally.
They have strong principles about certain issues (abortion, etc.).
Prospective voting is used by relatively few voters.
Those voters know the issues and vote accordingly.
Most common among activists and special interest groups

22. Citizens United: Are Corporations Protected?
How does Citizens United show the court’s preference for the First Amendment over democracy?

23. How do people vote?
Retrospective voting practiced by most voters, and decides most elections
Judge the incumbent’s performance and vote accordingly
Have things gotten better or worse, especially economically?
Reagan in 1980 debate
Examples: presidential campaigns of 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996
Usually helps incumbent.., unless economy has gotten worse
Midterm elections: voters turn against president’s party
2002 exception (war)

24. Debates Usually an advantage only to the challenger Reagan in 1980:
reassured voters by his performance
1988 primary debates with little impact on voters

25. Effects of Election on Policy
Comparison: Great Britain, with parliamentary system and strong parties, often sees marked changes, as in 1945 and 1951.
Conclusion: Many American elections do make differences in policy, though constitutional system generally moderates the pace of change.