1. The Nominating Process

2. A nomination is the naming of a candidate who will seek office
The nomination is the most important stage because it sets limits to the choices a voter can make

3. Ways to nominate… Self-announcement
The oldest form, often used by people who fail to get a regular party nomination, or by someone who is unhappy with a party’s choice

4. Ways to nominate…
Caucus - A group of like-minded people meet to select a candidate. Used to be practical because transportation and communication were difficult. Caucuses were replaced by the convention method because they limited the participation of party members

5. Ways to nominate… The convention Direct Primary Closed Primary
Delegates select candidates
Direct Primary
The most widely used method of making nominations. Intraparty nominating election where those who can vote choose a party’s candidate to run in a general election
Closed Primary
Only declared party members can vote
Open Primary
Any qualified voter can vote, they choose which party they will vote on at the polls

6. Ways to nominate… Run-off Primary Nomination by petition
Takes place when no candidate has a majority of votes in some states
Nomination by petition
candidates are nominated by a petition signed by a certain number of qualified voters, usually done in local elections

7. Elections
Presidential elections are held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November, every four years
The Constitution gives Congress the power to set the date for holding congressional elections
The coattail effect occurs when a strong party candidate draws votes to the party ticket

8. Precincts and Polling Places
A precinct is a voting district, a geographical unit, each has only one polling place, and in most states, the polls are open from 7am-8pm. The most basic unit for holding an election

9. The Ballot
the ballot is a device by which voters register a choice in and election. Each state provides a secret ballot
We use the Australian Ballot – printed at public expense, lists all candidates in an election, given out only at the polls and is voted in secret

10. Types of Ballots Office-group ballot Party –column ballot
Candidates are always listed by position
Party –column ballot
Lists candidates under a party column. Encourages “straight-ticket” voting (voting for all candidates of a party)

11. MONEY AND THE ELECTION PROCESS
2000 – presidential campaigns spent about $607 million
Congressional campaigns spent about $ 1 billion
avg. winning senator - $7.5 M
avg. representative-$849,000
Most campaign monies come from private contributors
Small contributors - $5-$10 occasionally
Wealthy persons who make large donations
Candidates and their families
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Nonparty political groups who work to affect public policy

12. MONEY AND THE ELECTION PROCESS
Laws limit a person’s total contribution to federal candidates and PACs to $25,000/yr
A lot of people give money because they support a candidate, but most give because they want something in return
Some want appointments to public office, others social recognition, some want the “ear” of the elected official
There are very strict election laws limiting campaigns. This maintains honest and free elections

13. MONEY AND THE ELECTION PROCESS
Campaign money is spent on a variety of things
Travel and entertainment
Pamphlets and posters
Newspaper and magazine ads
Television appearances (this is the most expensive)