Elections & Voting

1. Elections & Voting Chapters 7, 8, & 9

2. The Electoral Process Chapter 7

3. The nominating process is a key part of an election because it narrows the field of possible candidates • Five Ways to Nominate Candidates: The Nominating Process Candidates in most States are now nominated in direct primaries.

4. The detailed procedures that govern the casting of votes for elected officials help ensure a democratic way of life. • Election Procedures Elections Election procedures are clearly established by State law and, in some regards, federal law as well.

6. The use of money, a needed campaign resource that poses a variety of problems, is regulated in today’s elections. • Political Campaign Money Money & Elections Federal treasury State Treasuries public subsidies Political Campaign Money Campaign money comes from both public and private sources and is regulated by the Federal Election Commission contributions Regulates federal elections private Does not regulate soft money Federal Election Commission families individuals Candidates themselves Does regulate hard money PACs

7. Mass Media and Public Opinion Chapter 8

8. Several factors, including family and education, help to shape a person’s opinions about public affairs • Factors That Shape Public Opinion The Formation of Public Opinion education occupation family Historic events PUBLIC OPINION race Opinion leaders Mass media Peer groups Many factors play a part in shaping public opinion

9. Of the methods for measuring public opinion, polls are the most effective • Measuring Public Opinion Measuring Public Opinion PUBLIC OPINION Accurate Measures of Public Opinion Indicators of public Opinion Scientific Polling Election results Interest Groups Personal Contacts Media • Random sample • Quota sample

10. The media are our most important sources of political information • The Mass Media The Mass Media books films audiocassettes videocassettes Other media Internet television radio Mass Media magazines newspapers The many forms of mass media greatly impact American politics.

11. Interest Groups Chapter 9

12. Interest groups offer Americans an important means of influencing U.S. public policy • Are Interest Groups Good or Bad? The Nature of Interest Groups INTEREST GROUPS The political power of interest groups is viewed both positively and negatively.

13. Interest groups are formed around many issues, such as public interest and economics • Types of Interest Groups Types of Interest Groups Interest groups work for an array of public policies that benefit their members.

14. Interest groups use propaganda, form political action committees, and engage lobbyists in order to influence public policy. • Techniques Used by Interest Groups Interest Groups at Work Propaganda Persuasive techniques aimed at influencing individual and group behaviors to create certain beliefs Techniques Used by Interest Groups to Achieve Their Goals PACs Political action committees that work for or against political candidates and may make campaign contributions Interest groups use various techniques to influence public opinion, political parties, and the making of public policy LOBBYING Bringing pressure to bear on all aspects of the making of pubic policy