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PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. NOMINATION. The first step in electing a president is the Nomination process. This is where the voters in each party select a candidate. This process begins in January of the election year & goes until June. PRIMARIES.
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NOMINATION • The first step in electing a president is the Nomination process. • This is where the voters in each party select a candidate. • This process begins in January of the election year & goes until June.
PRIMARIES • Most States hold primaries. 20-30% of voters participate in the primaries. • These are one day intraparty elections.
CLOSED PRIMARIES • A primary is a contest within a party to select a candidate. • Some States hold Closed Primaries. • This means that only registered party members may vote.
OPEN PRIMARIES • Open primaries allow all qualified voters to participate. • This is what Texas has. • The day of the election, voters must decide whether to voter in the Democratic Primary or the Republican Primary.
CAUCUS • A few States still hold Caucuses. • Only 5-10% of the voters in these States participate in these Caucuses.
CAUCUS • The Caucus method is a multi-step process. • Voters begin at a local caucus in their neighborhood. • All Democrats or Republicans meet at the neighborhood school one evening.
LOCAL CAUCUS • For two hours, supporters of different candidates go to one area of the room. • Undecided voters stand in the middle of the room. Supports of the other candidates try to persuade the undecideds to support their candidate. • At a certain time, supporters of the candidates are counted. • Delegates are chosen to attend the District Convention to support their candidates.
DISTRICT and STATE CONVENTIONS • The process is repeated and delegates are chosen to attend the State Convention. • The process is repeated at the State Convention and delegates are chosen to attend the National Convention.
WHAT CANDIDATES GET FROM THE PRIMARIES AND CAUCUSES • Candidates want to win often and early. • By winning the early primaries and caucuses, the candidates get media attention and donations to their campaigns.
SUPER TUESDAY • The States that have their primaries & caucuses early, have an advantage. • They receive a lot of attention from the candidates. • Most of the candidates are still in the race. • Several southern States, including Texas, moved their primaries/caucuses to the second week in March-Super Tues.
STEP 2--THE NATIONAL CONVENTIONS • Each party holds their national conventions in August or Sept.
THE NATIONAL CONVENTIONS • Three important things happen at the national conventions: • The presidential & vice-presidential candidates are officially nominated • The party platform is written • This is the party’s stand on the issues. • The party is united behind one candidate.
STEP THREETHE CAMPAIGN • This is when the Democratic Candidate and Republican Candidate campaign against each other--- • LET THE FUN BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!
THE MEDIA • Most Americans get all of their info. from television • Media slant • Polls • Can be used by the candidates to find out how they’re doing with the voters • Can say anything.
PROPAGANDA • Plain folks- candidates want the voters to think that they are just like us!!
MORE PROPAGANDA • Bandwagon--everyone’s supporting me & you should too!!!! • Glittering Generalities--slogans that sound good & mean nothing-- • VOTE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW!! • THE EDUCATION PRESIDENT!!
MORE PROPAGANDA • Cardstacking-- telling only one side of the story--”I’m great, my opponent is a crook!!” • Namecalling • Testimonial--have someone famous campaign for you
MORE PROPAGANDA • Transfer--hoping the symbol will “rub off” on the candidate
STEP FOUR--THE GENERAL ELECTION!! • This is when we go vote!!! • It is always held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in Nov.
THE GENERAL ELECTION!! • We now use the Australian ballot. • Printed by the State • Private • Lists all candidates • Handed out only at voting precincts • Our vote decides WHO gets to cast the electoral college votes!!!
STEP FIVE--THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE • Winner take all--in most States, the candidate that wins more of the popular vote, wins ALL of the electoral votes!!!!
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE • Each State decides how the electors for their State will be chosen. • In Texas, our electors are chosen at the State Party conventions, the summer before the election.
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE • Electors meet at their State capitals on the Monday following the second Wednesday in December. • They cast one vote for President & one vote for Vice-President-- • 12th Amendment
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE • Their ballots are sealed & sent to Washington, D.C. and counted in front of a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, with the President of the Senate (VP) presiding. • A candidate must receive a majority of electoral votes--or at least 270 of the 538 votes cast.
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE • If there is a tie, or no one receives a majority of electoral vote • The House of Representatives selects the President from among the top 3 vote getters. • The Senate selects the Vice-President.
THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION • The President and Vice-President are sworn in to office on Jan. 20, at noon • 20th Amendment