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Campaigns and Elections

Campaigns and Elections. Lecture 5 American Government and Politics Mitchell College Mr. Chris Sandford. In the United States, we vote more often and for more offices than citizens in any other Democracy in the World.

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Campaigns and Elections

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  1. Campaigns and Elections Lecture 5 American Government and Politics Mitchell College Mr. Chris Sandford

  2. In the United States, we vote more often and for more offices than citizens in any other Democracy in the World. • Every year we hold thousands of elections for sheriffs, county positions, mayors, etc… • In 2004 alone: • 1 President and Vice-President • 33 Senators • 435 Members of Congress • 11 governors • 1,000 lower state offices

  3. Rules? • With all of these elections, we have established rules that control them. • Most of these rules/laws are created on the state level. • These rules give guidance and structure to a process that many other countries see as chaotic.

  4. Rules? • Regularly Scheduled Elections • Fixed and Staggered Elections • Term Limited • Amount of $ Spent • Types of Television Ads • Debates • Length of election day • There are many more - this is just a sampling.

  5. Most Important features? • Winner-Takes-All? • What this concept means is that the person who receives the largest number of votes wins the elections - This is what we have in this country. • Single-Member-Districts • This is the system in which we have….it basically means that a voter chooses one person from their respective district. • What is the DOWNSIDE of these?

  6. Proportional Representation • This system allows a political party to have representation in a legislative body based upon the percent of votes that party receives. • So, even though a party might not get the most votes (winner-takes-all) they will have some representation in the government. • What is the UPSIDE of this?

  7. Running for House of Representatives • Every two years all members run. • Downside to every two years? • Primary Race (same party) • Running for the General Election. • Incumbents v. Challengers. • Advantage? • Safe Seats? • Coattails • Midterm Elections

  8. Running for the Senate • Run every 6 years - staggered. • Two from each state. • Incumbents have an unbelievable advantage. • There is often not a primary from your own party. • Very little coattail impact. • There are many safe seats. • The average Senate election costs over $300 Million.

  9. Running for the Presidency • Deciding to run. • Presidential Primaries - for Party Nomination. • National Party Convention. • Party Platform • Vice-President • Presidential debates • Fundraising - all throughout process (read this section in text) • Strategy for Electoral College Win

  10. Electoral College http://www.electoral-vote.com/

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