Primary ~ an election for a to choose the for the final or general election

1. The Election Process • Primary ~ an election for a to choose the for the final or general election • General ~ a election to select the top candidate among all political parties (becomes the ) • Electoral College ~ election to determine the ; representatives from each state vote based on the vote of the people in that state

2. The Election Process: Primaries • Primary~ an election run by the political party in which , regardless of which party they might be official members • Closed Primary ~ an election run by the political party in which only those voters who have of that particular political party can vote

3. The Election Process: Primaries • Primary~ a primary election in which the names of for are on one ballot. • Voters may pick one candidate for each office regardless of political party • EX. a voter might select a Democratic candidate for governor and a Republican candidate for senator. • The candidates with the highest votes by party for each office advance to the general election. • Compared to other primary systems, the blanket primary is for voters because it does not limit them to selecting from only one party's candidates. So which primary is better for a political party? Which primary is better for citizens? Why?

4. Political Campaigning • - designed to persuade audiences to support a candidate, through voting and campaign donations. Stumping is also sometimes used in other contexts, but usually refers to the political sense. Stumping is accompanied by long tradition, with most candidates hiring specific staff members to write and refine speeches, and a substantial portion of campaign funds being used to support stumping trips. • - the practice of trying to discredit political opponents by spreading lies, distortions, and innuendo about them. Mudslinging is part of what is today called "negative campaigning," and by many accounts has been on the rise in recent election campaigns, although it has existed as long as politics has. • - Refers to any technique, whether in writing, speech, music, film or other means, that attempts to influence mass public opinion. Frequently considered to use manipulation.

5. Political Campaigning • Polling – the determine agreement with specific or • Straw Vote/Poll - an that is used to either to of an official vote, or to gauge the relative strength of candidates for office in a future election

6. Political Campaign Financing • Federal (FEC) - This is the US independent created to administer and enforce the law that governs the financing of federal elections. • Political (PAC) - A committee formed by business, labor, or other special-interest groups to and make contributions to the campaigns of political candidates whom they support • Soft - Political donations made in such a way as to federal regulations or limits, as by donating to a party organization rather than to a particular candidate or campaign. • Other- Contributions by corporations, labor unions, and other organizations, individuals, and federal employees as well as expenditures by the parties' national committees have been restricted by law

7. Political Campaign Financing • Campaign Finance Reform • What is campaign finance reform? • Does the campaign process need to have some reform? Why? • What are different proposals for campaign finance reform? • How much money do presidential candidates typically spend on a campaign? • How much do U.S. Senators or Representatives typically spend on a campaign? • Why?