Download Elections in America

Civic Participation
I. Elections in America
A. Types of Elections
• Primary Election
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A “run off” election to determine a party’s candidate
Open Primary – Anyone can participate
Closed Primary – Only party members participate
Caucus – election process to determine a candidate
Can lead to National Convention (Presidential
Election ONLY)
– State information of Primaries
• http://www.fairvote.org/congressional-and-presidentialprimaries-open-closed-semi-closed-and-top-two
A. Types Cont.
• General Election
– Election to determine an officeholder
• Recall Election: a procedure by which voters can remove
an elected official from office through a direct vote before his or her
term has ended. Recalls, which are initiated when sufficient voters
sign a petition
– Election to determine if an officeholder should
remain in office
– Can result in a new officeholder
B. Players in elections
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Party—puts forth a candidate
Candidate—Runs for office
Board of Elections—runs the election
Political Action Committee (PAC) –
“Nonpartisan” group in support of a
candidate or issue – MONEY
– Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
C. Voter Qualifications in NC
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18 Years Old
NC resident for 1 year
Precinct resident 30 days
Not a felon
As of Feb. 5, 2013
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Democratic: 2,775,251
Republican: 1, 982,527
Libertarian: 20,137
Unaffiliated: 1,655,130
II. Propaganda
II. Propaganda
• a form of communication that is aimed towards influencing the
attitude of a community toward some cause or position by
presenting only one side of an argument
• Glittering Generalities – popular, yet vague speech, appeals
to emotions
• Bandwagon-everyone else is doing it.
• Stack Cards – only presenting positive information
• Name Calling-Using harsh/unkind words to make a point
effective
• “Just Plain Folks” – he’s just one of us
• Image Molding – making candidate look good
• Campaign Clip:
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4Tmy
WEwp2o
John McCain is a war veteran who
will defend freedom, protect
democracy, and guard America
from terrorists
Michael Dukakis, soft on Crime
Mission Accomplished
I am against immigration because it
takes away jobs from Americans,
destroys the American economy,
brings criminals into our nation and
results in American citizens paying
taxes to provided immigrants
welfare and social security!
9 out of 10 doctors agree!!!
George Bush doesn’t care
about Black people
The #1 Show on TV!!!
John Kerry is a Flip Flopper
Your Turn
• You have been assigned a particular propaganda
technique. As a group, create an ad to present to class
using this propaganda technique. You may create an ad
for TV, an ad for the radio, or a visual ad (i.e. poster).
• The purpose of the ad is to recruit votes for Pat McCrory,
who is running for the position of Governor of NC.
• You may be creative in the content you provide about
Pat McCrory, but it must be presented in a way that
utilizes your propaganda technique.
• Be prepared to present your ad to the class tomorrow.
III. Interest Groups
• aka: pressure groups, lobby groups, special interest
groups
• Vary in the types of (economic, public, governmental)
and number of (single, multi) issues they are interested
in promoting.
• Examples
– EDUCATION
• http://www.ncae.org/
– ENVIRONMENTAL
• http://www.conservationcouncilnc.org/
• http://www.environmentnorthcarolina.org/
– BUSINESS
• http://www.nfib.com/tabid/638/Default.aspx?NFIBInMyState=
237&MyStateSelect=NC
“Extend the sphere [of interests], and you
take in a greater variety of parties and
interests; you make it less probable that a
majority of the whole will have a common
motive to invade the rights of other
citizens.”
James Madison
Federalist 10
III. Evolution of Interest Groups
• The best way to control the “mischief of factions” is
through the proliferation of groups. (Madison in
Federalist 10)
• National Groups Emerge (1830-80)
– Anti-alcohol, peace, slavery, education
• Progressive Era (1890-1920)
– Crime, corruption, labor, trade, poverty
• Organized Labor: American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1896
• Trade Associations: National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in
1895.
• The Interest Group State (1960 – 70)
– Women, minority, elderly, poor, consumers, and the
environment.
• Conservative backlash (late 1970’s-1990’s)
– Moral Majority: Jerry Falwell, 1978
– Christian Coalition; Pat Robertson, 1990
– Abortion, prayer in schools, marriage
B. Interest Group success
• Important factors:
– Have a prominent leader who also helps to
finance the group
– Funding: No money, No play!
– Members: Strength in numbers.
– Lobbying efforts
• Washington ties
• State and Local chapters
B. Interest Group success
• Interest Group: NRA
• Why is the NRA so successful?
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdt6Jj64TV
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C. How do political parties and
interest groups differ?
• Parties are more recognizable, fewer
• Parties nominate candidates & mobilize
support; Interest groups promote issues
• Parties help organize government; Interest
groups help shape government
• Parties have more regulations on
activities; interest groups have more
strength
– Both help with fundraising
Special Interest Ads
IV. Lobbying
• Definition: an advocate attempting to influence
legislation for a particular group
• Testify at legislative hearings
• Talk directly to government officials
• Helping to draft legislation
• Rallying constituent support
• Mounting grassroots campaigns
• Letter writing
• Donating money
• Litigation (amicus briefs)
• Endorsing candidates
Questions to ponder…
• How do interest
groups and
lobbyists affect
the political
process?
V. Other Issues in election
• Grassroots Movement
– Amongst the people
• Political Machine
– Complete control
– patronage
• Mass Media
– Slander: spoken lies
– Libel: written lies
V. Other issues in elections
• Initiative – if enough voters sign a petition
they can force a vote on an issue or law
• Referendum– When the Legislature wants
to let all people vote on a proposed law
– Proposition: idea/petition
• APATHY!!!