Presentation Transcript

1. Weeks 4 and 5: Political Parties and Elections

2. Weeks 4 and 5, Day 1 Notes
3. Warm Up Please answer true or false for the following questions: The Electoral College’s mascot is the Bulldogs. Our Founding Fathers created the Electoral College so the people would not elect the President directly. The number of electors a presidential candidate needs to win an election is 270. In 2000, more people in the United States voted for Al Gore than George W. Bush. Every state gets the same amount of electors.
4. What were the Framers’ original provisions for choosing the President? According to the Constitution, the President and Vice President are chosen by a special body of presidential electors. Originally, these electors each cast two electoral votes, each for a different candidate. The candidate with the most votes would become President, and the candidate with the second highest total would become Vice President.
5. Background of the Electoral College Established in 1787 as a way to select the President In Article II, Section 1, each state was given the same number of electors as members of Congress (House + Senate) The present size of the Electoral College is 538 members 435 members of the House, 100 members of the Senate, and D. C. gets 3 electoral votes
6. Background of the Electoral College Since the number of representatives in Congress a state gets is determined by the Census every 10 years, electoral votes are also determined every 10 years A Presidential candidate must receive a majority vote of the Electoral College in order to win an election (270 votes)
7. What is the function of the electoral college today? Voters do not vote directly for the President. Instead, they vote for electors in the electoral college. All States, except two (Maine and Nebraska), select electors based on the winner of the popular vote in that State. Electors then meet in the State capitals on the Monday after the second Wednesday in December and cast their votes for President and Vice President. On January 6, the electoral votes cast are counted by the president of the Senate, and the President and Vice President are formally elected. If no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes (270), the election is thrown into the House of Representatives.
8. What are the flaws in the electoral college? There are three major defects in the electoral college: (1) It is possible to win the popular vote in the presidential election, but lose the electoral college vote. This has happened four times in U.S. history (1824, 1876, 1888, and 2000). (2) Nothing in the Constitution, nor in any federal statute, requires the electors to vote for the candidate favored by the popular vote in their State. (3) If no candidate gains a majority in the electoral college, the election is thrown into the House, a situation that has happened twice (1800 and 1824). In this process, each State is given one vote, meaning that States with smaller populations wield the same power as those with larger populations.
9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of proposed reforms in the electoral college? Proposed Reforms In the district plan, electors would be chosen the same way members of Congress are selected: each congressional district would select one elector (just as they select representatives), and two electors would be selected based on the overall popular vote in a State (just as senators are selected). A commonly heard reform suggests that the electoral college be done away with altogether in favor of direct popular election. At the polls, voters would vote directly for the President and Vice President instead of electors. The proportional plan suggests that each candidate would receive the same share of a State’s electoral vote as he or she received in the State’s popular vote. The national bonus plan would automatically offer the winner of the popular vote 102 electoral votes in addition to the other electoral votes he or she might gain.
10. Electoral College Supporters There are two major strengths of the electoral college that its supporters espouse: It is a known process. Each of the proposed, but untried, reforms may very well have defects that could not be known until they appeared in practice. In most election years, the electoral college defines the winner of the presidential election quickly and certainly.
11. Correct Answers The Electoral College’s mascot is the Bulldogs. FALSE – the Electoral College isn’t even a real college! Our Founding Fathers created the Electoral College so the people would not elect the President directly. TRUE – our Founding Fathers were afraid of a direct election of a President by the people! The number of electors a candidate needs to win an election is 270. TRUE – in order to win the majority of votes, a candidate needs to win 270 of the possible 538 votes! In 2000, more people in the United States voted for Al Gore than George W. Bush. TRUE – but Bush won the majority of the electoral votes, thus winning the election! Every state gets the same amount of electors. FALSE – the number of electors is based on a state’s population.
12. Weeks 4 and 5, Day 2 Notes
13. How did the two-party system develop in the U.S.? The U. S. Constitution does NOT mention political parties (the founding fathers were worried about the negative effects – divisiveness and selfishness) Political parties exist in some form in almost every country around the world They most always form because competing groups want their points of view to influence the government
14. How did the two-party system develop in the U.S.? The two-party system is a rarity – it occurs in only about 15 countries around the world The United States has two main political parties – Democrats and Republicans Political Party – a group of people with broad common interests who organize to win elections, control government, and thereby influence government policies
15. Growth of American political parties By the end of Washington’s 2nd term, 2 political parties had arisen Federalists and Democrat-Republicans The Federalist’s power quickly declined The Democrat-Republicans will split into the Democrats and the Whigs The Whigs will then eventually transform into the Republicans
16. The Role of Minor Parties Third Party – any party other than one of the two major political parties All 3rd parties have something in common: they believe that the two major parties are not meeting the needs of the country
17. Types of 3rd parties Single issue party – focuses exclusively on one major social, economic, or moral issue Usually fades away quickly when issue is no longer important Ideological party – focuses on overall change in society Splinter party – splits away from one of the major political parties because of some disagreement
18. Impact of 3rd parties Third parties have often promoted ideas that were at first unpopular or hotly debated Later, these topics are usually adopted by one of the major political parties They do not automatically get on the ballot in all states – must have signatures Usually do not have a big budget like the major parties Since most Americans believe that a 3rd party cannot win, they do not contribute money
19. Weeks 4 and 5, Day 3 Notes
20. A. Democrats Est. 1820s by Andrew Jackson Symbol = Donkey Traditionally more liberal Supports government spending to overcome social problems and help less fortunate Gov’t should play a larger role our lives Strongly supported by blue-collar workers, unions, minorities, and women
21. B. Republicans Est. in 1854 by people that opposed slavery Symbol = Elephant Aka: GOP (Grand Ole Party) Traditionally more conservative Believes in a “hands-off” approach to economy. The less regulation and taxes the better. Believes gov’t should play smaller role in our lives. Supported by business professionals, large corporations, and middle and upper class families.
22. III. Third Parties Defn: A minor party that exists in a two party system. Examples: Green Party (Environment) Reform Party (Change Gov’t, Ross Perot) Libertarian Party (Prefers little/no gov’t)
23. IV. Independents Individuals that are NOT members with any political party. This is NOT a political party.
24. Weeks 4 and 5, Day 4 Notes
25. I. Running for President An individual decides to run for office Presidential Primaries Primaries are held in all 50 states between February and June. The candidate that wins in most states will usually win his party’s nomination to run for president.
26. C. National Nominating Convention Party delegates from all 50 states cast their ballots for their candidate of choice. Candidate for President is officially selected. Party creates campaign platform. Presidential nominee accepts the nomination and provides a speech to rally party members.
27. D. Campaigning Republican and Democrat candidates campaign against one another until the November elections. Campaigning entails: Speeches and Public Appearances Debates against other Candidates Television and Radio Advertisements Rallies LONG, LONG days with lots of traveling
28. E. Election Day Registered voters go to cast their ballots. This is the popular vote. The Electoral College vote determines the winner NOT the popular vote.
29. I. Campaign Spending Average combined cost for Pres. campaign is $400 million. Congressional campaigns average $1.5 million/per candidate.
30. II. Regulations of Funding Federal Election Campaign Act Individuals may contribute up to $1,000/per campaign. Businesses and unions may not make direct contributions to campaigns. Any contribution over $100 must be recorded.
31. III. Revenue Act Provides for gov’t assistance for funding presidential elections. Money comes from citizens’ income tax returns. Candidates may receive approximately $50 million in matching funds. 3rd Parties need to receive 5% of popular vote to be eligible.
32. IV. Soft Money Defn: Money raised by political parties for “general” purposes. There is no limit on soft money contributions. Any person or business can contribute unlimited amounts. Political parties decide how to use soft money but generally it goes to fund campaigns. Reform for soft money is pending in Congress.
33. Weeks 4 and 5, Day 5 Notes
34. I. Registering to Vote: A. When: Age 18 Must register 30 days before in PA to vote for Pres in Nov. B. Where/How: County Courthouse (Gettysburg) Driver’s License Renewal (Motor Voter Law) Registering to vote is free. C. What: Register for a political party or independent. D. Why: You must register in PA in order to vote. By registering, you are assigned to a local precinct and polling place.
35. II. Losing the Right to Vote A. You may lose your right to vote if you are: Convicted of a serious crime Mentally incompetent A vagrant/drifter Homeless/Have no established residence
36. III. Voting Rights Act of 1965 A. You CANNOT be denied the right to vote due to your: gender religion race ethnic background inability to read B. Forbade the unfair division of election districts in order to diminish the influence of minorities.
37. A. Types of Elections 1. Primary Elections Held in the Spring Voters chose the candidates they want to appear on their party’s ticket in Nov. PA has a closed primary - meaning only party members may vote to chose their party candidates. (Independent voters may not vote.)
38. 2. General Elections Held in November All registered voters may vote Election of Pres., Senators, Representatives, and State officials In PA - held on even years (2004, 2006, 2008)
39. B. Ballots There are many types of ballots (scantron, butterfly, voting machine, etc.) You may vote for anyone listed on the ballot or you may write in a candidates name. You may vote a STRAIGHT ticket, meaning you vote for everyone running from one political party. **You do NOT have to vote for those individuals running from your registered party**
40. Weeks 4 and 5, Day 6 Notes
41. I. Interest Groups Organizations of people w/ a common interest who try to influence gov’t policies and decisions. aka: Lobby or Pressure Groups Ex: NRA, MADD, Sierra Club
42. II. How do they work? Hire professionals known as lobbyists to influence Senators and Representatives
43. III. A lobbyist’s job Educate Gov’t Officials Provide info such as research results to officials Inform Gov’t of Interest Group’s Opinion Campaign for Interest Group
44. IV. Why do they work? The voice of 1,000 is stronger than 1 (Strength in Numbers) Money talks and they have lots
45. V. Types of Interest Groups Business & Labor Groups Concerned w/ economic issues such as taxes, inflation, unemployment Ex: Labor Unions (UAW, AFL-CIO) Agriculture Ex: American Farm Bureau Federation
46. Professional – Organizations made up of members from a particular field of employment. American Bar Assoc. – Lawyers American Medical Assoc. - Doctors
47. Environmental Groups- concerned w/ ecology & environment Ex: Sierra Club, Wildlife Federation Etc. Public-Interest Group – seek policies that will improve society
48. VI. Other Facts Over 10,000 Interest Groups exist in the US Largest and most powerful Interest Group is the AARP Another major group is the NRA