Gov Exam 3
6th Amendment
Right to a speedy trial
2nd Amendment
Right to bear arms
Superdelegates
"Unpledged Delegates" (usually important party members) at national party convention (about 20% of total delegates) who, unlike "pledged delegates" selected in primaries or caucuses, are not committed to a particular candidate. Used by party leaders to retain some control over candidate selection. Can be important in close races (like Obama vs. Hillary Clinton in 2008) superdelegates/unpledged delegates can vote for whoever Can vote for whoever they want and can change up until they cast the vote on the floor Change the system in 2018 because of Bernie Sanders, superdelegates can only vote after the first vote 765 unpledged or superdelegates Texas gets 262 delegates If no one gets major (for both dem and rep), they will go to a broker, or negotiating, convention Broker convention: candidates may negotiate for the nomination, haven't seen this in the last 60 years If Texas supports, what can you do for us? Persuading and negotiating
Democratic party structure
- For the democrats, every state must use the same system=easier to count, more democratic representation on TV because easier to follow - Democrats have superdelegates, which are just unpledged delegates Democrats win the nomination: - must get 1990 out of 3979 potential votes on the first ballot - Pledged delegates are the ones you get in primaries and caucasus - To get a delegate, you have to get at least 15% of the vote in the state primary or caucus superdelegates/unpledged delegates can vote for whoever - In 2018, the Democratic Party voted to overhaul the superdelegate system: cannot vote on the first round of democratic national convention voting anymore - Democratic party primarily a national party, closer to a unitary system - Democrats tend to be a little more similar nationally
Why Low turnout
- Self registration - Too busy - Absentee voting - Number of elections, voter fatigue - Voter attitudes - Feel like vote doesn't matter - Don't like candidates - Registration problems - Transportation problems - Unfavorable hours: 7am to 7pm are working hours - Voter fatigue: we have so many elections in US - Forgot to vote: higher on a local or midterm election
Types of interest groups
-economic interests -environmental interests -equality interests -consumer and other public interest lobbies
Civil War Amendments
13th, 14th, and 15th amendments
District of Columbia v. Heller
2008 Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that firearm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self- defense within the home
Amicus curiae
A Latin term meaning "friend of the court." Refers to interested groups or individuals, not directly involved in a suit, who may file legal briefs or oral arguments in support of one side
Permanent campaign
A coordinated and planned strategy carried out by the White House to increase the president's popularity and support distinction between the time they have spent governing and the time they have spent campaigning having become blurred Instead of relying on patronage and party machines, politicians increasingly used political consultants to help them monitor their job approval numbers and media exposure. governing with continuous public approval= permanent campaign
Elections
A formal and organised choice by vote of a person for a political office or other position
Electoral College
A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president - Indirect election - Never worked as the framers planned: thought we'd only have 13 candidates for 13 states - 50 state elections on one day, each state is given a certain number of votes based on the state's population - To win, you need majority (50% plus one vote=the race to 270) not plurality
Confederation
A joining of several groups for a common purpose independent, local organizations, will frequently conflict with national organization, strong state organization level= less coherent ideas nationally
Caucus
A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform. - works like the game 4 corners: go to this corner if you want candidate A - downside=vote is not private, can take up to 12 hours, the hardcore supporters are the ones who go
Lobbyist
A person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group or corporation to try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches.
Party platform
A political party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years. The platform is drafted prior to the party convention by a committee whose members are chosen in rough proportion to each candidate's strength. It is the best formal statement of a party's beliefs. Different party platforms: - Democrats have one party platform - For republicans, each state has a party platform - Statements of principles and campaign promises
Jungle primary
A primary election system in which all the candidates for an office run in the same primary regardless of political party affiliation *Louisiana's system
Closed primary
A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote Closed primary: only can vote if a part of the party- democrats vote in the democratic primary and vice versa *must be registered members of the party prior to election day
Semi-closed primary
A primary where anyone who is a registered member of the party or registered as an Independent can vote previously unaffiliated voters may participate in the partisan primary of their choice. Voters who are already affiliated with a political party can vote only in that party's primary
Get out the vote
A push at the end of a political campaign to encourage supporters to go to the polls *individual votes matter convincing people their vote does matter direct mobilization: vote for me, standing at an intersection with a sign indirect mobilization: talk to your friends about why you're voting for me- will give talking points and information
General election
A regular election of candidates for office, as opposed to a primary election. Held every 4 years, also the presidential election The General Election determines which candidates will occupy the offices that are up for election. In partisan races, candidates that were nominated at the Primary election compete for races along with any candidates without political party affiliation. Nonpartisan races typically appear on the General Election ballot as well, such as judicial, school and library board races
Unified government
A situation in which one party holds a majority of seats in the House and Senate and the president is a member of that same party president and both chambers of Congress are in the same party (house, senate, president all one party)
Winner take all
A system in which the candidate with the most district votes in a state gets all of the delegate votes from that state Most states (48) have a winner take all system- all except for Maine and Nebraska Nebraska and Maine: winner takes all by congressional district vote for a person to run on a specific seat No run off elections for national positions like presidency, most elections in US are plurality voting (you get more votes than anybody else), presidential election is always plurality Some states do majority voting
527 Organization
A tax-exempt group formed primarily to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts and issue ads that do not directly endorse or oppose a candidate. Unlike political action committees, they are not subject to contribution limits and spending caps. - tax-exempt organization - Can engage in political activity often with unlimited soft money - Cannot coordinate with political candidates - Try to influence elections through voter mobilization efforts aka issue ads (vote for the candidate who's this or that, supports X) - Must report contributions and expenditures to the IRS unless they already file identical info at the state or local level
Majority voting
A voting system in which a candidate must win more than 50 percent of votes to win the election If no candidate wins enough votes to take office, a runoff election is held between the top two vote-getters 50% plus one vote
Plurality voting
A voting system in which the candidate who receives the most votes within a geographic area wins the election, regardless of whether that candidate wins a majority (more than half) of the votes you get more votes than anybody else
Campaigning
Actions taken by a candidate when trying to get elected Begin to regulate money and campaigns in the 1970s Federal Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA): put limit on donations Federal Election Commission 1976: allowed corporations to make PACs (political action committees) Independent spending: candidate uses their own money, can do what they want with their money (no money from government) 7% of national vote, get reimbursed for campaign Person or organization not controlled or coordinated by a campaign Parties will sometimes coordinate spending Spend money on congressional candidates Often comes with a price: "we helped you get elected" Soft money vs. hard money Hard money- campaign contributions, "here is $200, go spend it to get elected". Tangible, in the bank account, literal cash or in bank account. Legit cash for campaign Money Matters Presidential campaigns are expensive Affects what people think they are owed favors If all campaigns are privately financed, will that mean only the rich win? Do people who win owe 'favors' to people who gave the candidate a lot of money? Estimated 6.6 billion spend on presidential campaign in 2020, increases each year Spending Restrictions Supreme Court case in 2010 (citizens united case): removed restrictions on campaign spending by any organization saying they have the same First Amendments rights as people 2 systems for spending money on a campaign: 1st: money that goes directly to the candidates is limited by size of contribution and has to be publicly disclosed Other system: money raised and spent outside of the party and the candidate's campaigns does not have the same limitations or disclosure requirements Where do candidates spend their money? Senate: more TV, fewer candidates in a market House of reps: more mailings, target audience more Small amount goes to speeches, door to door, shaking hands (smaller scale elections like city council) Money can be self-reinforcing: ex press will show up for Ted Cruz over a random, well known and likely to win again, can also be reinforced with stunts or making bold statements
New deal coalition
Alliance of southern conservatives, religious, and ethnic minorities who supported the Democratic Party for 40 years - System Five began in 1932 with the electron of FDR (roosevelt)- New Deal coalition - 1930s-1960 or 70s: New Deal Coalition consisted of people of Catholic or Jewish faith and racial minorities, white southerners (republicans won the Civil War and people began to align with one another socially) - System five was definitely dead (was dead before) by 2004 with George W. Bush, GWB won the Catholic vote- people are no longer voting a certain way just because they're Catholic - Religion becomes the 5th or 6th most important factor when voting: no longer the forefront
Whig party
An American political party formed in the 1830s to oppose President Andrew Jackson and the Democrats, stood for protective tariffs, national banking, and federal aid for internal improvements Whigs breaks apart during Civil War period because of the issue of slavery Republicans were a third party, broke away from whigs and eventually took over
Single member districts
An electoral district in which voters choose one representative or official
Free rider
An individual who does not to join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence. everyone else works, you get the benefits of the group without putting in time or money Solutions for free rider proposed by Olsen: Selective incentives: materialistic, if you join you get a t shirt Solidary benefits: hanging out with people who are like-minded Purposive benefits: satisfaction derived from working toward a policy goal, even if it isn't achieved Coercion: requires participation, labor unions do this, you are required to join union if you want to work that job
Party identification
An informal and subjective affiliation with a political party - What is a political party? Personal political identification, also an organization- shared set of views
Incumbent
An officeholder who is seeking reelection
Nominating conventions
An official public meeting of a party to choose candidates for office National party convention: each party presents what they support and their future plans, "if you vote for us, this is what we'll do"
Astroturf lobbying
Any lobbying method initiated by an interest group that is designed to look like the spontaneous, independent participation of many individuals come up with the rise of social media, fake grass= create the illusion of grass-root support when there isn't any. Makes it look like there are people supporting the idea, to gain more support.
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments to the Constitution
Soft money
Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities outlawed in 2002 527s can still use soft money as long as it is not tied to a specific candidate
15th amendment
Citizens cannot be denied the right to vote because of race, color , or precious condition of servitude allowed black men to vote: cannot racially discriminate
Commercial speech
Communication in the form of advertising. It can be restricted more than many other types of speech but has been receiving increased protection from the Supreme Court. can be protected even if it's offensive, ex- Brownskins
Issue ownership
Concept that political parties have differential credibility on certain issues, and that their candidates try to win elections by convincing voters that issues are the most important for a given election
Civil Liberties
Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens freedoms that are protected from government interference, original idea: to limit powers of national government to infringe on the rights and liberties of citizens
501 c committee
Designation for a non-profit, tax exempt group that can engage in some political activity depending on the type of group 501c 3: charity that wants to raise money Religious, charitable, educational groups, cannot engage in political activity or engage in come voter registration 501c 4 Social welfare organization Can engage in political activity as long as it is not their main purpose: can lobby for legislation and participate in campaigns, not tax deductible Do not have to disclose who gives the group money Loophole: political committees must file disclosures to cover activity before october 15th (if your group is created after that day, you don't have to disclose anything for up to 7 weeks, group goes bankrupt right after the election)
Proportional allocation
During the presidential primaries, the practice of determining the number of convention delegates allotted to each candidate based on the percentage of the popular vote cast for each candidate All Democratic primaries and caucuses use this system, as do some states' Republican primaries and caucuses
4th Amendment
Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures
1st Amendment
Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition Clear and present danger Fighting words: must be an exposition of ideas, ex: "I think you're a jerk" vs "jerk" Incitement of violence: Brandenburg v Ohio
Republican party structure
Getting the Nomination: Republicans - Must win enough primaries and caucuses in the states - For republicans, state parties have more control than the democrats=more freedom to organize primaries and caucuses, but messier to win (you have to get at least 1276 of the possible 2550 delegates), - Texas has 155 Republican delegates - For Republicans, state party rules say whether each delegate is pledged and for how many ballots
23rd amendment
Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a state (DC still has no representation in Congress) Residents of Washington DC right to vote
Divided government
Governance divided between the parties, as when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress. - power shared - unified government= assumption that everyone thinks the same and agrees on everything - divided=assumption that there will be negotiations to accomplish things: go to the table with what is wanted and what will be expected - Ticket splitting: will vote one party for some positions and another party for a different position
Brandenburg v. Ohio
Incitement of violence: Brandenburg v Ohio Direct incitement test Use words to incite people into violence, ex- using words to encourage people to break the law, ex- encouraging lynching, told to riot Hate speech is legal, just can't incite people into danger or act on words
Insider v outsider tactics
Insider tactics: associated with traditional lobbyists, give money to campaigns, pressure members of Congress to do things. Have the ability to talk directly to policy makers Outsider tactics: impose political costs if there is no response, social movement activity, people are not inside the system so they lack the access to talk to people within the system. Ex: marches, protests, supporting opposing groups, sit-ins Interest groups and social movements are completely different: different goals and behave/function differently. Both trying to influence government, but go about it in different ways.
Centralized groups
Interest groups that have a headquarters, usually in Washington, D.C., as well as members and field offices throughout the country. In general, these groups' lobbying decisions are made at headquarters by the group leaders. ex- NRA, AAA (large and well known, headquartered in one location with field offices around the country, leadership determines goals and tactics, may not be fully in touch with membership individuals), goal: get a lot of people to donate a little bit, can also place pressure on politicians bc of large population (voting sway)
Clear and present danger
Interpretation of the First Amendment that holds that the government cannot interfere with speech unless the speech presents a clear and present danger that it will lead to evil or illegal acts
Revolution of 1800
Jefferson's election changed the direction of the government from Federalist to Democratic- Republican, so it was called a "revolution." First Party System: 1790s-1820s Federalists v. Anti-Federalists Revolution of 1800- big election, Jefferson spent his Vice Presidency putting knives in the back of John Adams (won presidency over him)
26th amendment
Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, encouraged by Vietnam War bc 18 years olds were being drafted for war but could not vote
8th Amendment
No cruel or unusual punishment
3rd Amendment
No quartering of soldiers
Political parties
Organized groups that attempt to influence the government by electing their members to important government offices Exist in different ways: - Part of electorate - Organization - In government Personal political identification, also an organization- shared set of views Can be a group of current office holders (in congress, the house, the presidency)- want to pursue certain types of policy Build stable legislative and electoral alliances: trying to get people on your team who vote for you consistently, get things done= have support Mobilizing voters: in order to control the government, need to win seats (of senate, house, etc.) to do that, you need to be elected by majority. Get people to the voting booths. No penalty for not voting in America- not forced, but some people don't because they don't have to Develop new electoral techniques: make people want to vote for you and your team, part of mobilizing voters. Ex: colgate wants you to buy only your toothpaste and not consider any alternatives- vote for ___ or don't vote Use party labels
Checkbook membership
Participation is limited to money contributions; you provide the money and the leaders set the agenda and do the big things Mass associations rely on checkbook membership
Voting cues
Pieces of information about a candidate that are readily available, easy to interpret, and lead a citizen to decide to vote for a particular candidate. - Incumbency: do you hold office currently - Partisanship: which party do you belong to - Personal connection: does the candidate benefit you personally - Personal characteristics: age, race, gender, faith
Hard money
Political contributions given to a party, candidate, or interest group that are limited in amount and fully disclosed Campaign contributions, "here is $200, go spend it to get elected" Tangible, in the bank account, literal cash or in bank account. Legit cash for campaign
Open primary
Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote Open: declare party at the primary, most people only vote in general elections, technically an independent if you've never voted in a primary, most people just vote for their party *can vote without being officially affiliated with the party
Direct incitement test
Test articulated by the Supreme Court in Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) that holds that advocacy of illegal action is protected by the First Amendment unless imminent lawless action is intended and likely to occur
Barron v. Baltimore
The 1833 Supreme Court decision holding that the Bill of Rights restrained only the national government, not the states and cities. Early Constitution mostly dealt with property rights, contracts, economic liberty Barron owned a wharf and Baltimore did construction, basically confiscated his property: just compensation for taken property
5th Amendment
The Right to Remain Silent/Double Jeopardy, right to due process
Party organization
The formal structure and leadership of a political party, including election committees; local, state, and national executives; and paid professional staff - Democratic and Republican parties organized differently: - Democratic party primarily a national party, closer to a unitary system - Democrats tend to be a little more similar nationally - Republican party has more diversity from state to state - Republican have strong state parties, strongly organized at state level - Similarities due to national funding by party, need to believe x to be funded
Party coalition
The groups and interests that support a party - Informal groups: ex- Rainbow Coalition - Have a strong presence at conventions - Aligned with particular interests within party - Party acknowledges informal group=gain support from group Types of Interest Groups Business Union: lower percentage of population has blue collar jobs= union has lost power as American economy has changed Farm unions are most popular Professional organizations Ideological or single issue groups: NRA, environmental groups, pro-life groups, ex: American Civil Liberties Union, Christian Coalition Public interest groups or advocacy groups
Party principle
The idea that a party is not just a group of elected officials but an organization that exists apart from its candidates
Coat tail effect
The influence of a popular candidate on the electoral success of other candidates on the same party ticket. The effect is increased by the party-column ballot, which encourages straight-ticket voting. - popular candidate on a ticket, off-year elections= year 1 and 3 of presidential term=less turnout and easier to win - Tendency of less well known candidates to get elected because of their affiliation with a more popular candidate like the president - Can have a positive or negative effect - The president's party usually loses seats during midterms
Paradox of voting
The notion that people still vote even though the individual costs of voting likely outweigh the individual benefits
Party systems
The way or manner in which the political parties in a political system are grouped and structured Democratic and Republican parties organized differently: Democratic party primarily a national party, closer to a unitary system Democrats tend to be a little more similar nationally Republican party has more diversity from state to state Republican have strong state parties, strongly organized at state level Similarities due to national funding by party, need to believe x to be funded Different party platforms: Democrats have one party platform For republicans, each state has a party platform Statements of principles and campaign promises National party convention: each party presents what they support and their future plans, "if you vote for us, this is what we'll do" Day to day operations of national party fall to the national chair, partially selected by presidential nominee of party Informal groups: ex- Rainbow Coalition Have a strong presence at conventions Aligned with particular interests within party Party acknowledges informal group=gain support from group
Dealignment
Weakening of partisan preferences that points to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of independents. - reduction of dominance of one party without another party replacing it - Who we are and values of parties is shifting around more people become independents, people align with different things - new kind of this or that - I voted for this group because I dislike the other group
Runoff elections
When no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes in a nonpartisan primary for trial court judge or local office, the top two candidates face each other in a runoff
19th amendment
Women's suffrage
Split ticket
a ballot on which a voter selects candidates from more than one political party voting for candidates of different parties for various offices in the same election will vote one party for some positions and another party for a different position
SuperPAC
a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates. independent expenditure only committee Like PACs (political action committees) but not as many restrictions SuperPACs can raise and spend unlimited sums of money for supporting or opposing political candidates Can directly attack (outwardly say derogatory things about candidate) or endorse a candidate, but cannot directly give money to candidate pr directly coordinate with candidate or party
Ground game
another term for GOTV; A campaigns effort to "get out the vote" or make sure their supporters vote on election day
Indirect lobbying
attempts to influence government policymakers by encouraging the general public to put pressure on them
Selective incentives
benefits that are available only to group members as an inducement to get them to join materialistic, if you join you get a t shirt
Political action committees
committee formed by a special-interest group to raise money for their favorite political candidates an organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level. Limited amount of money can be spent per year
Direct lobbying
direct interaction with public officials for the purpose of influencing policy decisions types: professional and temporary
Factors that affect voting
education, age, where you live, race & ethnicity, community ties, strong partisan views, wealth, gender Education: easily most important, education and income are collinear (education most important, not income even though they're related) Age: tends to increase as age increases, and then dips again around 75, voting tics up when you have your first child or purchase first home, also starts to flatten around age 60: retirement age Elderly lose ability to vote: can't drive, voter ID laws- require photo ID in order to vote, older individuals do not update their drivers license bc they don't drive One of biggest reasons people don't vote is because they're busy, and people under 30 are very busy- not that individuals under 30 don't care (they do) Age 18-29: lowest voter turnout percentage, 60 and up is the highest Other factors: Geographic region: Non-Partisan voting: do not put party identification- more in the south Race and ethnicity: different racial groups vote at different rates, black individuals will not vote at high rates unless it matters to them, a politician they identify with (ex- Barack Obama), that population does not feel represented -> will not vote Community ties: church goers higher tendency to vote, Evangelicals and Trump Strong partisan views Wealth Gender: Women slightly more likely on average to vote (1-2%) because we live slightly longer (not because we care more or are smarter) Why low voter turnout? - Self registration - Too busy - Absentee voting - Number of elections - Voter attitudes
Disturbance Theory
groups form to counteract other groups Ex: pro-life groups emerged after abortion became legal in the US (formed to counteract the legality of abortion)
Direct mobilization
if people are personally contacted, they are more likely to go out and vote in that election vote for me, standing at an intersection with a sign Indirect mobilization: talk to your friends about why you're voting for me- will give talking points and information
Mass associations
interest groups that have a large number of dues-paying individuals as members Mass: rely upon checkbook membership, big group of individuals, favorable bc get support of mass=lots of votes
Peak associations
interest groups whose members are businesses or other organizations rather than individuals Individuals cannot join peak associations: members are businesses and organizations
Grassroots lobbying
people on the bottom trying to influence the top, encourage change at the policy level (change coming from the average person)
Interest groups
private organizations whose members share certain views and work to shape public policy Private organization that tries to influence public policy (what the government does) Synonyms for interest group: special interests, lobby groups, public interest groups, pressure groups (dated term)
Solidary benefits
selective benefits of group membership that emphasize friendship, networking, and consciousness raising hanging out with people who are like-minded
Purposive benefits
selective benefits of group membership that emphasize the purpose and accomplishments of the group satisfaction derived from working toward a policy goal, even if it isn't achieved
Material benefits
special goods, services, or money provided to members of groups to entice others to join
Voting turnout
the percentage of eligible citizens who actually vote in a given election -Close to 100% turnout suggests voter fraud because things happen, people get sick or get into accidents etc - When people distrust the government, we have lower voter turnout - Polling locations matter: if the location is only accessible by car, will have lower voter turnout
Double jeopardy
the prosecution of a person twice for the same offense, cannot occur bc of 5th amendment protection
Spoils system
the system of employing and promoting civil servants who are friends and supporters of the group in power Second Party System: 1820s-1850s Jacksonian Era: patronage/spoils system, Jackson was a man of the people and believed that God had a plan- believes what he's doing is right
Popular vote
the tally of each individual's vote within a given geographic area
Revolving door
the tendency of public officials, journalists, and lobbyists to move between public and private sector (media, lobbying) jobs
National Committees
top level of national political parties; coordinates national presidential campaigns
Coercion
use of force to get someone to obey requires participation, labor unions do this, you are required to join union if you want to work that job
Prospective Voting
voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling issues What you're going to do for me, based on promises for future, don't judge the past and only look forward Based on what candidates promise they're going to do Problem is it's easier to say you're going to do something, hard to execute Ex: 2016
Retrospective voting
voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office Ex: 2020 Occurs when president is running for their second term Vote based on the candidate's track record Can be selfish, promise policies that may be positive short term but have a negative long term effect Some people are single issue voters: vote because of one issue regardless of candidate's stance on other issues
