What role do elections and campaigns have within American society?

1. What role do elections and campaigns have within American society? LESSON 6 Elections and Campaigns

2. How is the electoral process set by our written laws? • LAWS & THE ELECTORAL PROCESS • Scheduling Elections • Scheduled far in advance according to federal or state rules • Held at scheduled times regardless of current events (ex: 9/11, WWII)

3. How is the electoral process set by our written laws? • Polling Places and Ballots • PRECINCTS: Basic geographical units in which elections are conducted  size restricted by state laws • ELECTION BOARDS: Regulate specific polling places and voting process • AUSTRALIAN BALLOT:Uniform secret ballot that lists all candidates and given to voters at polls • More than halfof American voters use mechanical voting process

4. How many different types of elections do we have? • TYPES OF ELECTIONS • Primaries • DIRECT PRIMARIES:Elections where all party members may vote to choose candidate for general election • CLOSED PRIMARY: Only registered party members may participate • OPEN PRIMARY: Nominating election where any qualified voter may participate

5. How many different types of elections do we have? • BLANKET PRIMARY–All voters receive same ballot with candidates from all parties • RUNOFF PRIMARY– Required if no candidate wins majority (usually limited to top two candidates)

6. How many different types of elections do we have? • Caucuses • CAUCUS: Meeting of party leaders to select candidates • Less democratic • Used less frequently • More important during presidential elections greater historical significance (Iowa) Hand count during Iowa Caucus (2004)

7. How many different types of elections do we have? • General election • When party nominees face each other • Frequency of general elections varies based on level of government FREQUENCY OF GENERAL ELECTIONS FEDERAL LEVEL: Always first Tuesday after first Monday in November (Election Day – Nov. 6) STATE LEVEL (NY): Follows federal structure; primaries in September COUNTY LEVEL (Nassau): Follows federal structure; primaries in September

8. What decisions are made in selecting our President? • PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS • MAKING THE DECISION TO RUN:Candidates assess the price and the odds for winning • Make a public announcement • Make a strategy

9. What decisions are made in selecting our President? • WINNING DELEGATES: The goal is to win support from many delegates at nominating convention • FIRST STEP:Strong showing in early primaries(NH, Iowa) • SECOND STEP:Use momentum for publicity, support and money

10. What decisions are made in selecting our President? • THE CONVENTION • A “pep rally” for candidate surviving primary season  kickoff of final campaign • Settlement of party platform • DARK HORSE CANDIDATE:One who receives unexpected support to challenge frontrunner

11. What decisions are made in selecting our President? • GENERAL ELECTION STAGE • Focus of campaign shifts to appealing to allvoters • Increase in campaign staff for final push • MEDIA & ADVERTISING • POLLING • SPEECHWRITING • FUNDRAISING

12. What decisions are made in selecting our President? • TELEVISED DEBATES:Give public opportunity to hear different viewpoints

13. TIMELINERunning for the Presidency ELECTION November PRIMARIES & CAUCUSES Run from February to June CONVENTIONS Just before Labor Day 24 MONTHS BEFORE ELECTION 12 MONTHS BEFORE ELECTION PARTY CONVENTIONS Formal selection of nominees • THE DECISION TO RUN • Gather support and money • Test the waters • Announce candidacy WINNING DELEGATES Elimination of all candidates except one • GENERAL ELECTION STAGE • General campaign • Population votes

14. How can a presidential election affect other national races? • CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS • Less expensive • Less competitive • President’s popularity may affect both House and Senate races  coattail effect Peter King (R) Representative 2nd CD

15. CAMPAIGN SPENDING - 2012 Barack Obama (D)$683,546,548/ 65,899,660 =$10.37 per vote Mitt Romney (R)$433,281,516/ 60,932,152 = $7.11 Gary Johnson (L)$2,507,763 / 1,275,827 = $1.97 Where do they find the money to pay for these elections? • CAMPAIGN FINANCING • FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION (FEC): Requires candidates and parties to make public records of contributions and spending • Cost of campaigns has increased dramatically  most money spent on media (TV, radio) • WAR CHEST ADVANTAGE: Incumbents scare away competition with large campaign funds

16. Where do they find the money to pay for these elections? • SOURCES OF CAMPAIGN FUNDS • PRIVATE SOURCES • Candidate’s personal wealth • Individual contributions • Regulated by federal and state governments • Mostly modest amounts ($100-$200) • Corporate dollars • POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES (PACs):Political arm of special interest group that contribute to campaigns buying influence?

17. Where do they find the money to pay for these elections? • PUBLIC SOURCE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT • MATCHING FUNDS:Government will match contributions of individual donors • No more than $250 each • Limits spending to what each candidate is given

18. Where do they find the money to pay for these elections? • Loopholes and concerns over campaign finance • Abuse of campaign finance laws consistently debated • Three major concerns of public • SOFT MONEY:Money not regulated by federal law that is used for general expenses  not spent on specific candidates, but spent on promoting issues • FUNDRAISING TACTICS:Should elected officials use government offices to solicit funds? (ex: Clinton/Gore, 1996) • SKYROCKETING COSTS:Presidential campaigns can be more expensive than corporate advertising budgets