AP Gov topics 5.1-5.13

Super Tuesday

(known because of the large number of primaries that take place on that day), when the race narrows and voters start to converge around fewer, or perhaps just one nominee

invisible primary

(sometimes called the media primary or the money primary), as public opinion polls and comparisons of fundraising abilities begin to tell the score long before the first states have voted (It's an opportunity to find out how much support they can gather before the actual primary race gets underway-if not enough they'll bail)

1st alignment

- 1800 - power shift from Federalists to Jeffersonians (Democratic Republicans favored states' rights, limited nat. gov, fewer laws, lasted 20yrs)

2nd Alignment

- 1860 - caused by slavery issues - Northern democrats joined abolitionists and old Whigs, wanting Fremont for president and end of slavery, Abraham Lincoln won instead - Republicans formed as 3rd party and became GOP (Grand Old Party)

3rd realignment

- 1896 - during era of business and expansion with dominant republican. - Depression led to Democrats supporting working class and voter representation - Started division between Republican free market capitalists vs Democrats who favor regulation.

4th realignment

- 1932 - New deal coalition led to democratic America - blacks shifted from R to D. - Roosevelt was important figure of Great depression and ww2. - led to 19th amendment, business regs., union protections

5th realignment

- 1964 - Republicans won the south when southern white voters left new deal coalition in opposition to civil rights reform

ELECTORAL ADVANTAGES OF INCUMBENT PRESIDENTS

- Already well known - Has 4yrs of experience and a record to evaluate performance - Commands the "bully pulpit" and can use his position to get messages out to the people - Already proved they can win a national election - Has a network of campaign contributors who can raise money - Has a network of campaign staff and volunteers with voter outreach - Already seen as "presidential," a perception that other candidates have to earn

Buckley v. Valeo (not required)

- Conservatives and liberals joined Senator Buckley to overturn FECA. - Argued that FECA unconstitutionally limited free speech. - The Court upheld the $1,000 limit on individual donations and the $5,000 limit on PAC donations, claiming they didn't violate free speech guarantees. - The Court ruled that Congress can't limit a candidate's donation to their own campaign nor can it place a maximum on the overall receipts or expenditures for a federal campaign. - Congress and Court reached consensus that unlimited donations make for unfair elections.

Party systems and realignment period 1824-1860

- Democrat (jacksonians) encouraged greater participation in politics and gained a Southern and Western following. - Whigs were a loose band of eastern capitalist, bankers, and merchants who wanted internal improvements and stronger national government

Party systems and realignment period 1860-1896

- Democrats became the 2nd place party, aligned with the south and the wage earner and sent only Grover Cleveland to the White House. - Republicans freed the slaves reconstructed the Union, and aligned with industrial interests

Party systems and realignment period 1896-1932

- Democrats join with Populist to represent the Southern and Midwestern farmers, workers, and Protestant reformers. - Republicans continue to dominate after a realignment based on economics

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC)

- Does the BCRA's donation disclosure requirement violate 1st Amendment's free speech clause, and is a negative political documentary that never expressed a plea to vote for/against a candidate subject to the BCRA? No and Yes. - Before--Buckley v. Valeo upheld limits on campaign contributions from individuals and PACs but candidates could contribute unlimited funds from their own money to their campaigns. It also ruled that there was no limit on total revenue or expenditures for campaigns. - Facts--BCRA prevented corporations/nonprofit agencies from engaging in elections media (TV & radio 60 days before general election). Citizens United (conservative group) made a Movie meant to derail Hillary Clinton's chance for presidency. BCRA prevented film's airing, regarding it as "electioneering communications," the group appealed to Supreme Court. The opportunity to broadcast the movie had passed by the time the Court issued its ruling, which has had a dramatic impact on campaign financing. Reasoning: Court ruled part of BCRA violated 1st Amendment's free speech clause and corporations, labor unions, organizations could use funds from their treasuries to endorse or denounce a candidate at any time, if ads aren't coordinated with a candidate. Majority opinion reasoned the limitations = censorship. The Court reasoned further that just because a PAC or anything entitled to free speech supports a candidate by ads, that candidate doesn't owe anything to that PAC. There's no assumption donations are buying a favor from candidate (which is already criminal and punishable by statute)

Incumbency in Congress

- Incumbents capitalize on their popularity and war chest, showering their districts with mail, ads and signs. - Name recognition - more money than challengers because they're highly visible and popular and they can exploit the advantages of the office. - They also already have a donor network established.

Nonconnected PAC

- No sponsoring (connected) organization. - Can collect from general public; can donate directly to candidates. - Strict Donation limits. - Ex—National Rifle Association, Emily's List

BENEFITS OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

- States retain their importance in electing the president. - Candidates campaign and seek votes in most states rather than heavily populated states. - Guarantees a consensus president with broad support. - States retain power when tie, goes to the House & Senate.

Party systems and realignment period 1932-Present

- The Great Depression created the New Deal coalition around FDR's programs. - Democrats dominated politics until the mid-1990s. - Republicans have taken on a laissez-faire approach to economic regulation and a brand of conservatism that reflect limited government.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

- The president appoints FEC's board of commissioners, and the Senate approves them. - Always has an equal number of Democrats/Republicans. - Requires candidates to register and report campaign donations and expenses on a quarterly basis. - Candidate's entire balance sheet is available to government and public

C-SPAN (the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network)

- a privately funded, nonprofit public service. Cable and satellite affiliates pay fees that in turn fund the network. - The House and Senate decided to allow cameras into its chamber. - Congress owns and controls the cameras in the chambers, but C-SPAN receives the feed and can broadcast House and Senate floor debates. - When Congress isn't holding debate in its chambers, the network covers committee hearings, seminars at university campuses and think tanks, public meetings, and political rallies.

Honest Leadership and Open Government Act

- banned all gift to member of congress or their staff from registered lobbyist or their clients - banned members flying on corporate jets, restricted travel paid for by outside groups - outlaws lobbyist from buying meals/gifts/trips for congressional staffers. - Lobbyists have to report expenses quarterly instead of 2x a year (if no, $200,000 in fines +jail). - Members must report the details of any bundling.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)

- banned soft money contributions to the national parties - increased the limits on hard money donations to $2,000 for individuals (with future adjustments for inflation), $5,000 for PACs, and $25,000 for national parties per election cycle. - Placed an aggregate limit on how much an individual could donate to multiple candidates in a 2-year cycle. The limit has been raised to $2,700 per individual. - The BCRA prohibited PACs from paying for electioneering communications on radio/TV using campaign treasury money within 60 days of the general election and 30 days of a primary. - To clear up who or what organization is behind a broadcasted advertisement requires candidates to explicitly state, "I'm [candidate's name] and I approve this message." That statement must be +4secs.

DRAWBACKS OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

- candidate can win popular vote and not win electoral vote. - Electoral vote strength is higher per capita in smaller states. - Winner-take-all system discourages those who voted for the runner-up. - If the election goes to House & Senate, these delegations can vote independently of their states

Debates for President

- candidates participate in formal public debates, highly structured events with strict rules governing response time and conduct. - Risky because candidates can suffer from gaffes (verbal slips) or from poor performances. - Incumbents and front-runners avoid debates because they have everything to lose and little to gain. Appearing on a stage usually helps the underdog.

Provisional ballots

- cast by voters who believe they're registered even though their names aren't on the official voter registration list at the polling place or vote by mail and instead want to vote at their polling place or a vote center, but didn't receive their ballot or have their ballot with them (elections official is unable to verify that they haven't returned their vote-by-mail ballot). - After casting a provisional ballot, Your provisional ballot will be counted after elections officials have confirmed that you're registered to vote in that county, and you didn't already vote. - You may vote a provisional ballot at any polling place in the county in which you're registered to vote, only the elections contest you're eligible to vote for will be counted.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

- created by Federal Communications Act - regulates electronic media and ownership by trying to prevent monopolies., Authority over content of radio, TV, wire, satellite broadcasts.

THE ATTACK

- expose inconsistencies in their opponent's voting records - reveal their opponent's missteps or unpopular positions taken in the past - comb over the Congressional Record, interview transcripts, and newspaper articles to search for damaging quotes - analyze an opponent's donor list in order to spot special interest donations or out-of-state money

Party systems and realignment period 1800-1824

- federalist maintained beliefs in a loose interpretation of the constitution to strengthen the nation. - Democratic-republicans (Jeffersonian) put less emphasis on a strong union and more on states rights.

Party systems and realignment periods 1789-1800

- federalists won ratification of Constitution and Presidency for first 3 terms. -Anti federalist opposed strong National government and favored states rights and civil liberties

Super PAC (independent expenditureonly committee)

- formed by Anyone. - Can collect from anyone; cannot coordinate with candidates. - No donation limits. - EX—Vote Latino Super PAC, Cryptocurrency, Alliance Super PAC

Connected PAC (SSF—Separate Segregated Funds)

- formed by Corporations, labor unions, trade groups. - Can collect contributions only from their members; can donate directly to candidates. - Strict Donation limits. - EX—Coca-Cola Company Nonpartisan Committee For Good Government

Leadership PAC (type of nonconnected)

- formed by Current or former elected official. - Can collect from general public; can donate directly to candidates. - Strict Donation Limits. - EX—Leadership Fund (Mitch McConnell)

Republicans — in the beginning

- former whigs, abolitionist and disaffected northern - Democrats gathered to make the party. - Opposed slavery. - First name "Free soil party"

National convention

- gathering of party leaders. - Democrats and republicans arrive with drafts of their platform. - Each party has an official platform committee appointed by its leadership. - Multiple presidential candidate within each party compete. - Party leaders address the different factions' concerns. - Once they decide on the nominations, the runner ups will maintain huge control of the platform

National voter registration act (Motor-Voter Law)

- increase citizen participation - rid of the burden of making a special effort to register to vote - addresses national standards and enforcement of voter registration, mail registration and government agency-based registration - Requires states to offer citizens a chance to register at state-run agencies - (increased # of eligible voters, locations, integrity of elections with accuracy)

Whigs Party

- loose interpretation of the constitution and national government spending to expand and enhance country (died after 1850s) - opponents of Jacksonian Democracy - strong central gov and national bank

Help America Vote Act

- requirements on states - create national standards for voting and election management. - States have to upgrade their voting systems to electronic format, replace punch cards, lever systems, and provide funds for changeover, address voting for people with disabilities. - Let's people in the military to have access to absentee ballots, registration forms and elections information

Federal - Governing Elections

- sets date for federal, general elections. - Has judicial jurisdiction on election policy. - Addresses suffrage in constitutional amendments. - Enforces relevant civil rights laws. - Administers and enforces campaign finance rules.

State - Governing Elections

- sets times/locations for elections (based on federal, state, and local criteria). - Chooses the format of acceptable ballots and how to file for candidacy. - Creates rules and procedures for voter registration. - Draws congressional district lines. - Certifies election results dates or weeks after election.

Electoral college

- simultaneous gathering of electors in their respective capital cities to vote on the same day. - temper public opinion and to allow the more informed statesmen to select a consensus president. - State and federal law and party custom affect the process. - Each state receives the same number of electors (or electoral votes) as it has in Congress - electors can't be senators or representatives - To win, candidates must earn a majority of the electoral votes (270 electoral votes) - If no candidate receives a majority, then House of Representatives votes for president by delegations, choosing from the top 3 candidates. Each state casts 1 vote for president, the candidate with +26 votes wins. The Senate determines the VP in the same way.

General election

- starts after party nominations and kicks into high gear after Labor Day. - Candidates fly around and deliver speeches. - The public/press compare the two party candidates. - Issues become more defined. - The major party candidates debate 3x on TV. VP candidates debate once.

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)

- tightened reporting requirements and limited candidate expenditures. - prevented individual donors from giving +$1,000 to federal candidate - prevented political action committees (PACs) from donating +$5,000 in each election. - Limited a candidate's own contribution to $50,000 per election - It capped the total a candidate could donate to a campaign and set a maximum on how much the campaign could spend. - Created a voluntary public fund to assist viable presidential candidate - Created Federal Election Commission (FEC) to monitor and enforce the regulations. - Created a legal definition for PAC to make donations to campaigns---need +50 members, donate to +5 candidates, and register with FEC +6 months before the election.

Reconstruction Amendments

13th, 14th, 15th Amendments. Made after civil war to enforce on South States

1957 Civil Rights Act

1st bill since Reconstruction to address discrimination in voter registration and made Office of Civil Rights enforcement agency in Justice Department

Australian Ballot

Ballot system we use. Ballot must be printed, distributed at public expense, show all qualifying candidates names, be available only at polling places, and be completed in private.

structural barriers to voting

Barriers that prevent people from voting, registration, ballot complexity, two-party system, and elections are all considered institutional barriers - they all make voting difficult and can hinder some from voting

26th Amendment

Citizens 18+ can't be denied right to vote based on age

23rd Amendment

For Presidential Elections and VP Elections, the district constituting the seat of government will appoint a number of electors no more than the least popular State. (Washington, DC, adds three electoral votes)

Fairness Doctrine

Former federal policy that required radio and TV to present alternative viewpoints, has allowed media outlets more leeway and freedom in what they air. without it, no need to provide other viewpoints to challenge community's beliefs, became self-reinforcing on right and left. Both ideologies have an increased in extreme views expressed by the media.

Dark Money most states require their pledged electors (people already committed to a party's ticket) to Electors Who counts the presidents votes from Electoral college? Since most states now require their electors to follow the popular vote, the electoral vote total Congress has set federal elections to occur Each state has a different method for congressional candidates to get their names on the ballot, but typically In most states, a candidate must first Party leaders and the Congressional Campaign Committees realize the advantage incumbents have so they What will decrease incumbents' chances Regardless of the condition of the economy, the president's party usually ____ (losses/wins) some seats in Congress during midterms, especially during the president's second term coattail effect How does gerrymandering affect the general election? Article I - Elections Article II — Elections

Funds given to nonprofit organizations that can receive unlimited funds and influence elections. follow the state's popular vote. are typically long-time partisans or career politicians who are ultimately appointed by the state party. sitting vice president and Speaker of the House count these votes before a joint session of Congress essentially becomes known on election night in November. every two years, in even-numbered years, on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November a number of signatures are required and some fees apply. win one primary election to earn the right to run as the party nominee. The candidate must follow both federal and state law support the incumbent when they are challenged in a primary. A bad economy because in hard economic times, the voting public holds incumbents and their party responsible losses The tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election. dampens competitiveness lets congress set the date for federal elections explains electoral college, system for electing a president

Congressional Campaign Committees in Congress

National Republican Senatorial Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Winner take all voting

The candidate who wins the plurality of the popular vote (the most, even if not the majority) in a given state will ultimately receive all of that state's electoral votes. (Only Nebraska and Maine allow for a split in their electoral votes and award electors by congressional district)(disadvantage for minor parties)

Gatekeeper Watchdog adversarial press political reporting sound bites political analysis Editorials Op-ed Commentary news bureaus Investigative reporting free press LEADING IDEOLOGICAL POLITICAL MAGAZINES - Liberal LEADING IDEOLOGICAL POLITICAL MAGAZINES - Conservative Radio

What the public sees becomes the important issue (determine what's newsworthy and what info public will receive/prioritize). role played by national media in investigating political personalities and exposing scandals. reporters continually question government officials, their motives, and their effectiveness. standard "just-the-facts" types of stories, unbiased approach short excerpts edited from a long remark that are vivid in presenting an issue—have different effects on public depending on wording, politicians take care in providing press with 8sec sound bite they want to carry their message. offers explanations on topics, usually by experts, which help readers understand complex subjects. (no bias) opinionated articles that reveal newspaper's view, no by-line or author, a team of editors draft them an opinion piece by a guest writer that makes a clear argument about a topic usually in the news. opinion and interpretation rather than just facts reporting (newscasters/newsroom editors read their commentary as the word "Commentary" appears on screen,) offices beyond a newspaper's headquarters, in Albany NY, and Washington DC. reporters dug deep into stories to expose corruption in government and institutions. uninhibited institution that places an additional check on gov to maintain honesty, ethics, transparency—in 1st Amendment (links citizens to the gov) The Nation, The New Republic, The Progressive, Mother Jones National Review, Human Events, American Spectator, The Washington Times first appeared after WWI.

Credit Mobilier scandal Bundling State governments are based on a federal model A Company pays or convinces the public to oppose a bill. Effect on Interest group Free-rider problem Demographics Psychographic Way before elections people respond more to ____ ideas from campaigns and respond to ____ idea more right before the elections Minor party Ideological party Splinter parties Economic protest parties Single issue parties The other two majority parties have money, resources, and are highly organized leading to For presidency, the nominees part needs to have won a certain percentage of the vote in the previous election in order to

a company sold low-priced shares of the railroad stock to members in Congress if they voted favorably. raising large sums from multiple donors for a candidate. (+$15,000 in 6 months) multi-member legislature, state agencies, various courts, all which are targeted by interest groups. The interest group will be convinced and will lobby the government, leading to the bill not being passed The problem faced by unions and other groups when people do not join because they can benefit from the groups' activities without officially joining. The bigger the group, the more serious the problem. explain who the voter is, race, sex, gender, neighborhood, church, political affiliation, similar traits. explains why people vote the way they do abstract, concrete are third parties, (ex beginning of Jacksonian Democrats and Lincoln's republic) they subscribe to a consistent ideology across multiple issues (Libertarians and Socialist) form when large factions of members break off from a major party A political party dominated by feelings of economic discontent. Party seeking a single policy, usually revealed by its name, and avoiding other issues. minor parties rarely succeeding qualify for government funding in the current election.

Every state has a prescribed method for candidates to earn a spot on the ballot, usually involves Parties provide training to candidates on how to run an effective campaign. T or f Since 1968, No minor party has earned one electoral vote. T or F All House seats and one-third of Senate seats are up for election every two years. T or F House of Representative candidates, because they are running statewide and may attract wealthier opponents, begin raising money much earlier than Senate candidates and devote more time to soliciting cash. T or f Party Realignment Critical elections Party Realignments are marked by As African Americans began to vote they sided with When the break up of the new deal coalition occurred Party dealignment Gender gap Women and Voting Men and Voting married women vote more

a fee and obtaining a minimum number of signatures (disadvantage to minor parties) T t, no candidate has won a plurality in any one state, so no electoral votes t F, Senate and House of Reps swap change in underlying electoral forces due to changes in party identification contests that reveal sharp lasting changes in loyalties to political parties critical elections Republican Party—freed them era of divided government independents, turn away from politics (rise after the watergate scandal) difference in political views between men and women and how these views are expressed at the voting booth. oppose harsh punishment and death penalty, favor spending on welfare and less war prone (DEMOCRAT) favor harsh punishment, more fiscally conservative. (REPUBLICAN) Republican—moral traditionalist

Criminal Record and Voting

all but 2 states prevent felons from voting while in prison. In most states reinstate felons voting rights after parole. 12 states deny felons who committed severe crimes the right to ever vote again.

12th Amendment

altered the procedure so that electors cast separate ballots for the presidential and vice presidential candidates.

broadcast network Big Three networks of ABC, CBS, and NBC The Cable News Network (CNN) Horse-race journalism Candidates' ideas, policies, or biographies remain static, so once those are reported, they're Scorekeeper Scorekeeping continues after an election by when local party organizations sees a competitive primary with two or more strong candidates Having the support of a party organization is a game changer in political campaigns, because Usually the Party Organizes puts resources toward reelecting an incumbent because The party leadership may not always be in agreement with the candidate about how to handle or manage the campaign, leading to A typical campaign is divided into three segments Dark ads Hard money Soft money

broadcasting from 1 central location to many small stations called affiliates set tone for TV journalism, create in-depth programming that examined national affairs, international relations, and lives of celebrities. Access to national news 24hrs a day. focus on polling data, public perception instead of candidate policy, and exclusive reporting on candidate differences not similarities. no longer newsworthy. role the press plays by keeping track, help make political reputations, note who's mentioned as a candidate, and help decide who's winning/losing examining an elected official's approval rating or crediting/blaming successes & failures of gov proposals/programs. Turns political events into popularity contests, not candidate qualifications and platforms. the party stays out, sometimes the party sees who the favorite is and endorses that person. with these relationships come a sharing of info, member email lists, donor connections, and costs. it's a safe bet. (sometimes party may not endorse and allows voters to make the decision) intraparty friction the biography, the issues, and the attack. anonymously placed media that appear only in target audience's social media news feeds, not in the general feeds. They match personality types of their audience to the message to manipulate emotions to sway votes. a donation given directly to a candidate, could be traced and regulated. a donation to a party or interest group isn't tracked. The party could flood a congressional district with ads that paint opponent in a bad light, causing untraceable spending on elections.

Single member districts

candidate who wins most votes, or a plurality in a field of candidates wins that office. (multiple parties compete for office) (a part that wins 20% of the votes in the election, is given 20% of the seat in office)

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations a 527 organization

churches, some hospitals, receive tax deductions for charitable donations and can influence government but they ant lobby government officials or donate to campaigns. certain social welfare organizations can lobby and campaign but they cant spend more than half their expenditures on political issues is a tax-exempt group that can raise unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, and labor unions for the purpose of influencing policy or elections

primary elections

citizen-voters in these contests cast votes for delegates to attend the party's national convention. With their vote, the citizen voters advise those delegates who to nominate at that national convention. Nomination requires a majority of votes by the appointed delegates at the convention. To win the nomination, candidates must win the requisite number of these state contests from January into the summer

Rational choice voting model Retrospective voting model Prospective voting model Party-line voting model Party identification Candidate centered campaigns Retrospective voting model Cable networks have employed more and more commentators, in part because of Narrowcasting talk radio Fox News Channel (FNC) mainstream media Cyberpolarization confirmation bias Consumer-driven media

citizens anticipate the future, they consider how candidates were proposed ballot initiatives might affect their lives, or the operation of the government citizens to affiliate with the political party, will likely vote with that party at most opportunities when a person identifies himself to be associated with one party, intense to vote in a way to favor that party (easiest way to predict a voters habits) refrain from printing Democrat/Republican, emphasis on candidates, military service, work, successes in business (from Vietnam war, race riots, Nixons deceit, media—lets them talk to people directly) look backward to consider candidates track record. (Looks at accomplishments or shortcomings) their own colorful personalities or backgrounds that draw viewers in growth of media outlets with a specific political agenda and a targeted audience syndicated political shows that air at stations all over, became a common way for Republicans to get political news. an alternative news channel that altered cable news and favored conservatives, successful at persuasion. (Largest one) collection of traditional news organizations, operates an objective news model people remaining in echo chambers of their own creation (self-reinforcing/isolated loop of news isn't helpful in developing consensus policy or best solutions for America's problems, nor in understanding alternative viewpoint) tendency to seek out and interpret info in a way that confirms what they already believe (no incentive to consider opposing views. the clash of ideas is vital for democratic debate & process) content is influenced by the actions and needs of consumers. they're businesses, profit drives their actions. (more consumers--more profits--influences the way media present issues)

24th Amendment

citizens can't be denied the right to vote by State or US by failure to pay poll tax or other tax (taxes on any election even state and local)

15th Amendment

citizens can't be denied the right to vote by States or US based on race, color, condition of servitude (gave Black men the right to vote, 1st Constitutional mandate affecting state voting requirements)

19th Amendment

citizens can't be denied the right to vote by the State or US based on sex (Womans right ot vote)

Democratic national committee and Republican National committee DNC and RNC subcommittees

comprise a hierarchy of hundreds of employees and a complex network dedicated to furthering party goals. Each committee included public leaders and other elite activists. They meet every 4 years at national conventions draft party's platform, manage recruitment, communications, and mobilization.

Republican Party Democratic Party

conservative doctrine, Strong national defense, reduction of government spending, limited regulation on businesses, fiscally conservative, denounces affirmative action aggressive efforts for minority rights, strong protections for the environment, more government services for the citizenry and programs to solve public problems, big government, national regulations

Voter registration States election laws authorize....who to oversee elections statewide? Who oversees local elections even when the election is for federal offices? Typically a _____ governs the election and vote counting process and serves as a referee The Size of the Precincts are determined by Ward Precincts Polling place Sates can allow 17 year olds to vote State elections official County level boards of elections To prevent voter fraud Registration enables governments to Voting blocs War chest Most campaigns have a two stage process National and State party organizations must register with the FEC and are limited in how much they can donate to National chairperson In Response to increasing Lobbyist efforts

enrollment in the electoral roll-30 days in advance of the election so county boards can create and maintain poll books. state department, bureaucratic agency, secretary of state local or County government county-level election board supervisor of elections for voting, counties, cities, and town are subdivided. Each subdivision is called a ward is the subdivision of wards, small area with 500-1000 voters who all vote at an assigned polling place where voters vote, usually in a school or community center only in the primary if they will be 18 by the general election. oversees the process of voting statewide tabulate and report the election returns provide drivers license or last 4 digits of social security prepare for an election, verify voter qualifications, and assign a voter to only one polling place to precede repeat voting. a group of voters that are strongly motivated by a specific common concern or group of concerns that specific concerns tend to dominate their voting patterns, causing them to vote together in elections. is funding obtained from donors well in advance of a campaign, accumulated by an incumbent for either re-election or to contest a more advanced office, or provided by a wealthy candidate to their own campaign. (campaign fund) parties rank and file voters nominate their candidates in a primary election, these nominees compete against each other in the general election. The party & leaders will be like a referee rather than a coach. a candidates war chests, they can give up to $5,000 per election for the war chest. chief strategist and spokesperson. They run the party's machinery. It's non-governmental Congress required lobbyist to register within the House or Senate. Supreme Court upheld this and declared that the 1st Amendment ensures anyone or any group the right to lobby.

McGovern Fraser Commission

examine, consider, rewrite convention rules. Brought change to ensure minorities, women, younger voters representation at future conventions and as delegates voting to nominate their candidate

Congressional Acts on Lobbying

federal regulation of lobbying act, lobbying disclosure act, honest leadership and open government act.

Political action committees (PACs)

formal groups formed around a similar interest, donate heavily to incumbents. PACs give $12 to an incumbent for every $1 they donate to a challenger

13th Amendment

freed slaves

14th Amendment

granted citizenship and guaranteed legal protection

Democrats — in the beginning

held conservative states-rights view and dominated politics until civil war.

Superdelegates

high ranking delegates not beholden to any state primary vote. (Democratic members of congress, governors, mayors of cities, and party regulars with 20% of the democratic delegates)(Reformed so superdelegates have ⅔ of them vote for popular vote in their state)

proportional system

if Candidate A receives 60 percent and Candidate B receives 40 percent of the popular primary vote, the state sends the corresponding percentage of delegates for each candidate to the national gathering.

Preclearance

if states were to make a test or requirement to vote it would have to be passed/cleared with the Justice Department (If states acted in a way to diminish black suffrage then they'd be watched carefully.

Libertarianism

laissez-faire (unregulated) capitalism, abolition of the welfare state, non intervention in foreign affairs, individual rights to opt out of paying Social Security and receiving its benefits

1965 Voting Rights Act

lowered national voting age to 18 for presidential and congressional elections

Profession Consultants

may include a campaign manager, a communications or public relations expert, a fundraiser, an advertising agent, a field organizer, a pollster, and a social media consultant.

Caucuses

members meet at community centers, schools, and private homes where they listen to endorsement speeches, discuss candidates, and then cast their vote before leaving the caucus. less convenient, more public, two-hour commitment makes attendance hard, others dislike the public discussion and the somewhat public vote (voters cast a vote at a table set aside for their candidate). Those who show tend to be more dedicated who hold strong opinions and often fall on the far left or right causing more liberal or more conservative figures to win

Congressional Campaign Committees

members of congress and have permanent offices and support staff. They recruit candidates and try to re-elect incumbents. Conduct polls, ads, fundraising

Voting Rights Act The Voting Rights Act has later been struck down by Supreme Court (2013)

most effective. Outlawed literacy tests and had Justice Department watch states with low Black voter rates the act placed too much burden on the states when it is not longer an issue.

Revolving door

movement from the job of legislators to a job within an industry affected by the laws or regulations. (Failed or retired Congressmen/women would become lobbyist, and would already have strong connections/influence over congress)

Causes of Realignments

party is so badly defeated it fades into obscurity as a new party emerges or large blocs of voters shift party allegiance as a result of a social, economic or political crisis

Electorate What are important things to consider with US Laws and policy making and assuming citizens will engage and participate Franchise At the very beginning of the US, who was given the right to vote Originally - Electoral College Now presidents are selected by Suffrage Literacy test Poll tax Grandfather clause The literacy test, poll tax, and grandfather clause were allowed because White primary Electoral College system gives a state the same number of electors that it has Districts can vote for Presidential elections but Rational choice voting model

percentage of Americans that go to the polls to vote for president and other offices popular sovereignty, individualism, and republicanism. right to vote white land-owners state legislature appoint electors who elected the president popular selection of electors qualification for voting equally a test made to prove you were literate (Prevented Blacks from voting) a free required to vote (discouraged Black voters) states can recognize a registered voter as it would have recognized his grandfather, prevented Blacks from voting but allowing poor, illiterate whites to vote. they never explicitly violated the Constitution because it didn't prevent someone from voting based on race. used to discourage Blacks voting that permitted political parties in the heavily Democratic South to exclude Blacks from primary elections, thus depriving them of a voice in the real contests. senators and representatives. can't vote for congress or house of representatives because they aren't a state voter who examines an issue or candidate, evaluated, campaign, promises, or platform points, consciously decided to vote in a way that seemed to most benefit the voter

17th Amendment

popular elections for senators (not state legislatures) Now Senators payed more attention to the people.

New deal coalition

population went from Republican to democratic, implemented social safety nets, positioned the federal government as a force in solving social problems, promoted union protections, civil liberties and increased participation by including minorities and women

Incumbent incumbent advantage phenomenon To win the presidential nomination candidates must first win Type of Primaries front-loading A presidential campaign requires +2 years of work to make it through two competitions Democrats give more delegates to Republicans give extra delegates to Endorsement Grassroots lobbying Grasstops campaigning voter mobilization Trade associations Intergovernmental lobby Professional associations

president already in office seeking a 2nd term has an easier time securing the nomination than a challenger. the ability to use all the tools of the presidency to support candidacy for a second term. state primary elections or caucuses. closed, open, blanket states scheduling their primaries and caucuses earlier and earlier to boost their political clout and to enhance their tourism securing the party's nomination and winning a majority of states' electoral votes. large states, also instituted the idea of fair reflection to balance delegates by age, gender, and race in relation to the superdelegates or party elders loyal states tactic of interest groups, influence public voting with endorsement-a public expression of support. outsider technique, when an interest group tried to inform, persuade, and mobilize large numbers of people. rather than mobilizing people, interest groups and their lobbyist will narrowly target leaders and individuals who know and have connections with lawmakers. a party's efforts to inform potential voters about issues and candidates and persuade them to vote interest groups made of businesses within a specific industry involves governments lobbying other governments (state to fed, or fed to state) Represents the white collar professions (suit-and-tie, work @ desk, higher-paid, higher-skilled jobs, more education/training, doctors/lawyers.

1964 Civil Rights Act

prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin

Activities of Lobbyists - Insider strat Activities of Lobbyists - Outsider Strat Activities of Lobbyists - Client Interaction Activities of Lobbyists - Legislative activity Activities of Lobbyists - Social Media Activities of Lobbyists - Implementation Activities of Lobbyists - Electoral Activity Activities of Lobbyists - Other activity

quality persuading government decision makers through exclusive access public efforts to influence policy with such things as lawsuits of get out the drives informing clients, discussing strategy providing information/researching bills/drafting bills Mentoring congressional activity, targeting outreach testifying on bills/filing amicus curiae briefs advertising, making PAC donations meeting, business development, media commentary

Ballot access

refers to procedures regulating how candidates will be presented to voters in elections (minority parties are at a huge disadvantage)

Think tanks Purposive incentives Solidary incentives Material incentives Upper class bias Single issue groups Swing state Lobby Hyperpluralism Pluralism Direct lobbying Ideological groups Super PACs can make unlimited amount contributions as long as Special interest groups vs public interest groups Who earns more money, the lobbyist or the official the lobbyist is talking to?

research institutions (often with specific goals)--some from universities are those that give the joiner some philosophical satisfaction (their money is going to a good cause) allow people of like mind to gather on occasion. travel discounts, subscriptions to magazines, newsletters or complimentary items interest groups tend to have upper-class people. (they can afford membership, and are interested in the cause) focused on just one topic those states that could go either way in an election (tend to get the most attention) It's the application of pressure to influence government (usually from interest groups) when there is "gridlock" within the interest group. They are unwilling to compromise. Leads to the elite gaining power. Idea that government is a competition between competing interest groups (factions) who are all trying to get what they want at the same time. of legislatures in the most common tactic of interest groups interest groups formed around a political ideology. (Christin coalition) they are independent from the candidate public interest groups are geared to improve life or government for the masses, not just pushing for one cause. the lobbyist, about 3x's

Jacksonian Democracy

shift toward greater democracy for the common man and away from the aristocracy that had previously held the power.

How third parties influence

structural barriers within the electoral system prevent these organizations from gaining the traction necessary to fully succeed. They can influence policy and play a significant role especially because voters are so evenly split.

Lobbying — Usually what is their main goal

usually are talking to legislators who already agree with them. They're looking for the most recent views of lawmakers in order to act upon them. Only about 1% of the time are they attempting to change a person's opinion.

closed primary open primary Blanket primary

voters must declare party affiliation in advance of the election, typically when they register to vote. (Poll workers hand the voters one party's ballot from which they select candidates) allows voters to declare party affiliation on election day. (Poll workers hand the voters one party's ballot from which they select candidates) which allows voters to cast votes for candidates in multiple parties (voters can cast a split ticket) (vote both Democrats and Republican) The top to vote-getters regardless of party affiliation compete for office in the general election.

Winning Candidates and Election Authorities

winning candidates are known late on election day or the next day, and isn't certified by the Election Authorities til days/weeks after while they verify and wait for absentee ballots (votes sent my mail)

What population has the lowest turnover? Linkage institutions Examples of Linkage Institutions What plays a large role in deciding which candidates run for office and the drawing of legislative districts (gerrymandered) Robocalls Platform Absentee ballot Long lines at the polls Voting eligible population More voters cast ballots during Congressional midterm elections Voter apathy Political efficacy Voting age population Voter turnout

youngest (18) (underdeveloped opinion and experience channels that connect people with the government—keeping people informed and trying to shape public opinion and policy political parties, interest groups, elections, media Political Parties pre recorded phone messages deliver to people to remind people to vote for their candidate and to discourage voting for opposing candidates a written list of beliefs and political goals (expresses primary ideology) if a voter can't make it to the polls, they can mail it causes people to be less likely to participate citizens who could legally vote if they wished Presidential election federal elections that occur midway through a president's term (have lower turnout) a lack of concern for the election outcome (don't vote) sense that their vote can influence and make changes every US citizen 18+ the participation rate of the voting age population