Gov. Ch. 7
6 sources of the $ spent on political campaigns?
*Small contributors *Wealthy individuals and families * candidates *various nonparty groups *temporary campaign organizations *public funds
Poll watchers
1 from each party, they are allowed at each polling place. Can challenge anyone they think is not qualified to vote.
What are the 4 areas that the agency is supposed to supervise?
1. Disclosure requirements 2. Individual contribution 3. Political action committee contributions 4. The public subsidy
Precinct
Smallest voting district
Presidential spending money?
2.5 billion
Campaign spending in 2008?
7 billion
Subsidy
A grant of money, usually from the government. Most of the $ comes from donations from your personal income tax
absentee voting
A process by which people can vote without going to their polling places on Election Day. You usually get your ballot by mail and then mail it back
Loophole
A way to get around the law
Australian ballot
All ballots look alike. Can be marked in secret. We have this in the usa. It is printed at public expense
527's
An organization set up usually to support a specific cause. Not associated with any party or any candidate. The amount of money cannot be regulated by the FEC
What regulates campaign spending on the national level?
Federal election commission
coattail
Occurs when a strong candidate running for an office at the top of the ballot helps attract voters to other candidates on the party's ticket.
Bedsheet ballot
Lists so many offices, candidates, and ballot measures that even the most well-informed voters have a difficult time marking it intelligently
Soft money
Money given to state and local party organizations for party building activities. Money spending does not need to be recorded.
Who was the first president to not take the money in the election period?
Obama in 2008
Election board
Supervises the polling place. Bipartisan- there's people from each party on it. Supervises all voting activities
Ballot fatigue
The farther down the ballot an office is, the fewer the number of votes that will be cast for it
What is the date for federal elections?
The first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year.
Polling place
The place where the voters who live in a precinct actually vote. There's one polling place in each precinct
Political action committee
The political arms of special interest groups or other businesses...they raise money from its members and give it to candidates who support their beliefs
When do most states hold their elections?
The same date as federal elections because it's convenient and reduces the cost.
Early voting
They allow any voters who choose to do so to cast their ballots at any time over a period of several days before an election. You still go to the polls
Hard money
Those contributions that are given directly to candidates for their campaigns for congress or the white house, are limited in amount and must be reported and they are also limited by the FEC