Maximizing Civic Engagement: Understanding Elections and Interest Groups in America

1. Civic Participation

2. I. Elections in America

3. A. Types of Elections • Primary Election • A “run off” election to determine a party’s candidate • Open Primary – Anyone can participate • Closed Primary – Only party members participate • Caucus – election process to determine a candidate • Can lead to National Convention (Presidential Election ONLY) • State information of Primaries • http://www.fairvote.org/congressional-and-presidential-primaries-open-closed-semi-closed-and-top-two

4. A. Types Cont. • General Election • Election to determine an officeholder • Recall Election: a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her term has ended. Recalls, which are initiated when sufficient voters sign a petition • Election to determine if an officeholder should remain in office • Can result in a new officeholder

5. B. Players in elections • Party—puts forth a candidate • Candidate—Runs for office • Board of Elections—runs the election • Political Action Committee (PAC) – “Nonpartisan” group in support of a candidate or issue – MONEY • Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

6. C. Voter Qualifications in NC • 18 Years Old • NC resident for 1 year • Precinct resident 30 days • Not a felon • As of Feb. 5, 2013 • Democratic: 2,775,251 • Republican: 1, 982,527 • Libertarian: 20,137 • Unaffiliated: 1,655,130

7. II. Propaganda

8. II. Propaganda • a form of communication that is aimed towards influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position by presenting only one side of an argument • Glittering Generalities – popular, yet vague speech, appeals to emotions • Bandwagon-everyone else is doing it. • Stack Cards – only presenting positive information • Name Calling-Using harsh/unkind words to make a point effective • “Just Plain Folks” – he’s just one of us • Image Molding – making candidate look good

9. Campaign Clip: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4TmyWEwp2o

13. John McCain is a war veteran who will defend freedom, protect democracy, and guard America from terrorists

14. Michael Dukakis, soft on Crime

15. Mission Accomplished

17. I am against immigration because it takes away jobs from Americans, destroys the American economy, brings criminals into our nation and results in American citizens paying taxes to provided immigrants welfare and social security!

18. 9 out of 10 doctors agree!!!

19. George Bush doesn’t care about Black people

24. The #1 Show on TV!!!

26. John Kerry is a Flip Flopper

27. Your Turn • You have been assigned a particular propaganda technique. As a group, create an ad to present to class using this propaganda technique. You may create an ad for TV, an ad for the radio, or a visual ad (i.e. poster). • The purpose of the ad is to recruit votes for Pat McCrory, who is running for the position of Governor of NC. • You may be creative in the content you provide about Pat McCrory, but it must be presented in a way that utilizes your propaganda technique. • Be prepared to present your ad to the class tomorrow.

28. III. Interest Groups aka: pressure groups, lobby groups, special interest groups Vary in the types of (economic, public, governmental) and number of (single, multi) issues they are interested in promoting. Examples EDUCATION http://www.ncae.org/ ENVIRONMENTAL http://www.conservationcouncilnc.org/ http://www.environmentnorthcarolina.org/ BUSINESS http://www.nfib.com/tabid/638/Default.aspx?NFIBInMyState=237&MyStateSelect=NC

29. “Extend the sphere [of interests], and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens.” James Madison Federalist 10

30. III. Evolution of Interest Groups The best way to control the “mischief of factions” is through the proliferation of groups. (Madison in Federalist 10) National Groups Emerge (1830-80) Anti-alcohol, peace, slavery, education Progressive Era (1890-1920) Crime, corruption, labor, trade, poverty Organized Labor: American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1896 Trade Associations: National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in 1895. The Interest Group State (1960 – 70) Women, minority, elderly, poor, consumers, and the environment. Conservative backlash (late 1970’s-1990’s) Moral Majority: Jerry Falwell, 1978 Christian Coalition; Pat Robertson, 1990 Abortion, prayer in schools, marriage

31. B. Interest Group success Important factors: Have a prominent leader who also helps to finance the group Funding: No money, No play! Members: Strength in numbers. Lobbying efforts Washington ties State and Local chapters

32. B. Interest Group success Interest Group: NRA Why is the NRA so successful? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdt6Jj64TVU

33. C. How do political parties and interest groups differ? • Parties are more recognizable, fewer • Parties nominate candidates & mobilize support; Interest groups promote issues • Parties help organize government; Interest groups help shape government • Parties have more regulations on activities; interest groups have more strength • Both help with fundraising

34. Special Interest Ads

35. IV. Lobbying Definition: an advocate attempting to influence legislation for a particular group Testify at legislative hearings Talk directly to government officials Helping to draft legislation Rallying constituent support Mounting grassroots campaigns Letter writing Donating money Litigation (amicus briefs) Endorsing candidates

36. Questions to ponder… How do interest groups and lobbyists affect the political process?

37. V. Other Issues in election • Grassroots Movement • Amongst the people • Political Machine • Complete control • patronage • Mass Media • Slander: spoken lies • Libel: written lies

38. V. Other issues in elections • Initiative – if enough voters sign a petition they can force a vote on an issue or law • Referendum– When the Legislature wants to let all people vote on a proposed law • Proposition: idea/petition • APATHY!!!