Laws and the Electoral Process

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Laws and the Electoral Process"

Cassandra West
5 years ago
Views:

1 Government 12

2 Laws and the Electoral Process Constitution gives Congress certain conditions and requirements for elections Passed a number of laws and regulations Rules vary a great deal because states and communities still have primary responsibility for the process Individuals follow to be elected to public office Most election laws are set by states

3 Scheduling Elections Great Britain & Canada Elections may be called by prime minister at any time, as long as they fall within a specific period United States Elections are scheduled far in advance, according to rules set by national or state legislatures and according to specifications within the Constitution.

Polling Places and Ballots Precincts Basic geographical units in which elections are conducted Precinct election boards regulate the specific

4 Polling Places and Ballots Precincts Basic geographical units in which elections are conducted Precinct election boards regulate the specific polling places and the voting process used in each precinct. Congress requires the use of secret ballots Most widely used form is an Australian Ballot

5 Nomination Primaries Process of Elections Direct primary First used in the late 19 th and early 20 th Century. Closed primary Most Common Only registered party members may vote Eliminates Cross-over vote (Member of one party vote in primary of other party) Open Primary Blanket primary voters may vote for candidates of more than one party on an office-to-office basis Runoff primary -

6 Process of Elections (cont.) Caucuses A meeting of leaders of a political party to select candidates. Often dominated by party bosses. General election Party candidates are finally elected to office.

7 Presidential Campaigns First Presidential Primary traditionally held in New Hampshire. Process Decision to Run Winning Delegates Use primaries and caucuses in different states. Convention Energize party faithful Platform - Written statement of the principles and beliefs. Dark Horse Candidate - Abraham Lincoln General Election Stage

8 Other Terms to Know Incumbent A person currently holding a political office or position Coattail effect A favorable influence that a popular candidate has on the voters selection of other candidates in his or her party.

million Most $ goes to television and radio ads Reform Laws Established to

9 Campaign Financing Amount to win and even participate in an election is enormous. Most money comes from individual donors Clinton & Dole campaign - $232 million Most $ goes to television and radio ads Reform Laws Established to monitor the funding for elections Federal Election Commission monitors campaign spending.

often simply called PACS More than 4000 today Candidates own money Public

10 Source of Funds Private Sources Political action committee- a financial arm of an interest group set up to contribute to the political campaigns, often simply called PACS More than 4000 today Candidates own money Public Sources From the Federal Government matching funds Campaign Spending Limits

11 Soft money Loopholes and Concerns Money not regulated by federal law, used by political parties for general expenses Fund-raising tactics High Cost of Campaigns $2.7 Billion was spent on campaigns in $2.65 Billion Trump/Clinton Campaign alone 2012 $2.76 Billion Obama/Romney Costs will continue to increase in the future.

12 What Does this Cartoon Say about Campaign Finance?

13 What is this cartoon saying about Campaign Financing?

- 1 - Second Exam American Government PSCI Fall, 2001

- 1 - Second Exam American Government PSCI Fall, 2001 Second Exam American Government PSCI 1201-001 Fall, 2001 Instructions: This is a multiple choice exam with 40 questions. Select the one response that best answers the question. True false questions should