1. FIRST STAGE IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PROCESS – CAUCUSES AND PRIMARIES Types of primaries: Closed Semi-closed Open Blanket (invalidated by Supreme Court) Nonpartisan blanket primaries (state and local level ) “INVISIBLE PRIMARY”

2. PROS and CONS of PRIMARY CENTERED PROCESS Gives power to the people But so few people votes in primaries and are not representative of the general population or even their own parties Other criticisms of the nomination process: starts early, lasts too long Some argue for ONE SINGLE NATIONAL PRIMARY

3. Funding of elections Federal Election Campaign Act (1974): 1. Placed limits on contributions to pres & Cong’l campaigns – to candidates, PACs, parties 2. Required disclosure of contributions *Individual limit of $1000 – up to $2600 – per election *Interest group contributions to PACs limited to $5000 3. Limited “independent expenditures” – spending not coordinated with, or given directly to, a candidate (overturned by Supreme Court) 4. Loophole on contribution limits – “Soft Money” (later overturned by Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002)

4. Created Federal Election Commission – 6 member bipartisan commission to administer and enforce CF laws PRIMARIES – matching funds (for individual contributions – to encourage small donations) - voluntary GENERAL ELECTION - Full public financing in general election if agree not to raise private contributions and agree to a spending limit (voluntary – many presidential candidates say NO THANKS)

5. Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002 Bans soft money Said issue ads (done through independent expenditures) can’t be broadcast right before an election (this part would be overturned by Supreme Court ruling Citizens United)

6. Supreme Court rulings on Campaign Finance 1. Buckley v. Valeo 1976 – *Ruled against mandatory spending limits *Upheld voluntary limits for Pres. Campaigns *Upheld contribution limits * Ruled against limits on independent expenditures WHY ARE SPENDING LIMITS UNCONSTITUTIONAL BUT CONTRIBUTION LIMITS NOT???

7. Citizens United Ruling 2010 First Amendment prohibits gov’t from restricting independent expenditures by corporations (including non profit ones) and unions AT ANY TIME, including just prior to an election. Can require disclosure but can’t limit free speech. First amendment issue…