Electoral Politics John N. Lee Florida State University Summer 2010 John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 1 / 12
Campaign Finance Campaign Finance The financing of a politician s campaign for office. In 2008, Barack Obama raises 745 million dollars, John McCain raises 368 million dollars, Ralph Nader raises 4 million dollars, and Chuck Baldwin raises 258 thousand dollars. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 2 / 12
Dilemmas Should the amount of money candidates raise be restricted in any meaningful way? Should the amount individuals contribute to candidates be restricted? Should the amount of money corporations donate to candidates be restricted in any meaningful way? In polls taken between 2004 and 2007 more than 50% of Americans are either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the state of campaign finance laws in the United States. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 3 / 12
History of Campaign Finance Prior to the 1970 s campaign fiance is unregulated (until the advent of TV candidate s relied on parties to finance them). Federal Election Campaign Act (1971) Partial public funding for presidential candidates. Full public reporting of campaign contributions. Strict limits on campaign contributions. Federal Election Committee (FEC) established to enforce the law and publish reports on campaign donations. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 4 / 12
History of Campaign Finance Buckley v. Veleo (1976) This decision dealt with a case challenging the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974. The decision upheld reporting requirements and contribution limits. The decision rejected spending limits on the grounds that campaign spending was a form of political speech. However, if presidential candidates accept public funding the court ruled that they would be subject to spending limits. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 5 / 12
Modern Campaign Finance Soft Money Money used by political parties for voter registration, public education, and voter mobilization (KGK, 792). Hard Money Money raised and spent under the FECA guidelines. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 6 / 12
Evolution of Soft Money Initially, the FECA bans loopholes for soft money. By 1979 people miss local party action and FECA is amended to allow unlimited money to be raised and spent by local political parties. In 1988 FECA again amended such that soft money must be reported (though still not regulated). Soft money is raised and spent unregulated until Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002) which banned soft money donations to parties. 527 non profit organizations are still allowed to receive unlimited money so long as they do not openly advocate a candidate or disparage another. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 7 / 12
Who can vote? Initially on white male property owners could vote so long as they were not (usually) Catholic or Jewish. By 1840 s there is universal suffrage for white men. In 1920 the nineteenth amendment is passed giving women the right to vote. In 1965 the Voting Rights Act more fully extends right to vote to all African Americans. IN 1971 the twenty sixth amendment passes allowing anyone over 18 years old to vote. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 8 / 12
Who actually votes? 1952 1968 voter turnout (federal elections) is about 68%. Since 1968 turnout has been about 58%. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 9 / 12
Who votes Trends Factors that affect the propensity to vote... Educated individuals are more likely to vote. Older individuals are more likely to vote. African Americans are less likely to vote. Southerners tend to be less likely to vote. Individual s with high internal/external efficacy are likely to vote. 1 Internal Efficacy the belief that one understands politics and can meaningfully participate. 2 External Efficacy the belief that the government will respond to the individual s participation in politics. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 10 / 12
Who Votes Trends Variations in voter registration laws affect turnout (more restrictive laws lead to less turnout). Initially states will cancel registration if you do not vote, require you to register a set number of days before an election (sometimes 50+), and do not work by mail. Motor Voter Law Also known as the National Voter Registration Law (1993). Required states to allow citizens to register to vote at DMV, by mail, and removed state policies which canceled registration for failing to vote. Republicans oppose (officially argue unfunded mandates secretly fear more poor people will vote and decrease republican vote share). Actually ends up helping the republicans (gets more southerners to register). Has minimal effect on voter turnout. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 11 / 12
How do voters decide? Party Label A majority of voters use a politicians party identification to decide who to vote for. Performance voting These voters will vote for the incumbent if they have performed well and vote for their challenger if the incumbent has not performed well. Issue voting These voters focus on issues (sometimes just one) when deciding who to vote for. John N. Lee (Florida State University) Electoral Politics Summer 2010 12 / 12