TYPES OF ELECTIONS Primary Election:
Members of political parties nominate candidates Republicans can only vote for their favorite
republican, democrats for their favorite democrat, and independents cannot vote.
General Election: All registered voters can vote for whomever they choose
Initiatives, Referendums, Recalls Initiative: citizens petition to vote on a specific
law or amendment Referendum: legislature asks citizens to vote on a
specific law or measure Recall: citizens petition to vote on removing a
politician from office
Republican primary candidates
No democratic primary
VOTING BASICSVoters must register
Why?Stop voter fraudKeep people from voting in
elections that don’t affect themParty registration
Voter I.D. Law – PennsylvaniaPro arguments?Con Arguments?
VOTING BASICS (CONT’D) Federal Election Day – Tuesday after the first Monday in
November Primary elections and local elections can be held
anytime, but are usually in Spring States make laws covering voter registration Local Governments generally run elections Everyone is designated a polling place based upon
where they live Different areas can have different ballot methods For example:
Electronic Punch cards Lever machines Paper ballots
INFLUENCING YOUR VOTE Advertising
Posters, Bumper Stickers, Yard Signs, etc… Personal Appearances Direct Mail Phone Calls Television/Radio Internet Ads
PACs Political Action Committees Independent Special Interest groups who donate money to
specific candidates or causes that support their views Federal law restricts how much money theycan donate to candidates, but NOT how muchthey can spend campaigning on their own
INFLUENCING YOUR VOTE Propaganda Techniques
Glittering Generalities Plain Folks/Family Bandwagon Transfer/Comparison Attack Ads: Card Stacking, Name Calling Celebrity Endorsement Humor?
Media Bias
CAMPAIGN FINANCE Individual Donations
Limited to $2500 per person Must report anyone who gives more than $200
Political Parties PACs FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION LIMITS
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Allows States to elect President – Federalism
Reflects how congress actually works
Keeps small states involved
Usually provides a clear majority (1992)
Usually provides a more clear and certain result
Prevents need for recounts or runoffs in close elections
Popular choice can lose Disenfranchises voters in
“safe” states Gives greater power to
“swing” states Based upon political
considerations that are no longer relevant
Makes it difficult for a third party
If no one gets to 270, House of Representatives decides
Pros Cons
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Popular Vote Congressional District Method
Maine and Nebraska
Alternatives
Other Ideas?
FAITHLESS ELECTORS All potential electors are appointed by the political
parties or the presidential nominees When an elector casts a vote for someone other than
the candidate to whom they are pledged, they are a faithless elector – this is rare
Can happen on accident or on purpose
29 States have laws against this practice, though they have never been enforced
Faithless electors risk retaliation from their party A faithless elector has never changed the result of an
election