1. The Nominating Process

2. Nomination Naming those that will seek office Nominations are the real elections One party constituencies, vote for one party or another. Once the nominations are made there is no contest.

3. Nominations are made: 1)self-announcement 2)Caucus 3)Convention 4)Direct primary 5)Petition

4. Self- Announcement They simply say I’m running Arnold Schwarzenegger did this Ross Perot

5. Caucus Began in Boston in the 1720’s People get together and choose candidates they all approve of Legislators would get together in a central place and choose nominees. Many people thought this was elitist and unrepresentative

6. Convention First one held by Anti-Masons 1831 Whigs held one later that year. Democrats got on board the next year. Local caucuses meet, choose local nominees and delegates, THEN County level State Level National level

7. Direct Primary Nominees are put on a ballot Voters choose the candidates Michigan does this for governor, Congress and State Legislatures

8. Closed vs. Open Primaries Closed~ Only declared party members can vote Open~ Any voter can vote, but only one party Blanket~ Any voter can vote, for both parties

9. Closed vs. Open Primaries Critics of open: Prevents one party from spoiling other’s election process Candidates are more responsive Voters are more thoughtful Critics of closed: Compromises secrecy Excludes independents

10. Run-off Primaries If no plurality is reached~ Runoff begins It’s pretty much a tie-breaker

11. The Nonpartisan Primary Usually for nonpartisan elections School board and municipal offices (Sheriff) No one runs under a party name

12. Presidential Primary Starting in January Very Strict Rules Complex Process with dates set beforehand.