Download Voting, Elections & Campaigning

Warm-Up: Elections and Party Systems
1. A person who generally believes that society
is better off with LESS government
involvement.
2. When you vote for members of both political
parties.
3. A system that represents all political views
but often results in coalition governments.
4. Most Americans fall here on the political
spectrum.
5. An election in which a political party decides
who will represent them in an election.
Voting, Elections &
Campaigning
3/30/2011
Goal 4
Objectives
• 4.02 – Describe the election process
and the qualifications and procedures
for voting.
• 4.03 – Analyze information on political
issues and candidates seeking political
office.
Qualifications for voting
• C.A.R.R.
– Citizenship
– Age: 18 yrs. Old
(26th Amendment)
– Registered
– Resident of NC
• Other Qualifications
– No Felonies
– Not institutionalized
Straight-ticket vs. Split-ticket
• Reasons for Straight-ticket:
– party loyalty
– Easier/quicker
– Vote for all elections on ticket
• Reasons for Split-ticket:
– More thoughtful
– Moderate voters like people
from both parties
Election process:
• Primary Election: determines who the
candidates will be from each party
VS
Election process:
National Convention:
winner of primary
election announced &
party platform created.
Election process:
General Election: regularly scheduled
elections (every 2 years nationally)
Election process:
Recall Election:
Special election to
remove elected
officials before term
ends
(only held in some states—
not NC)
The Electoral College
• Every state is worth a certain number of
electoral votes (HoR + Senate)
– NC=15 electoral votes
• Each state has its own election for Pres. to
decide who gets that state’s electoral
votes
• Candidate with 270 electoral votes wins
2008 Electoral Map
2008 Electoral Results
Popular vote results:
Candidate
Party
Votes
Percent
Barack Obama
Democratic
67,981,686
52.77%
John McCain
Republican
59,082,002
45.86%
Ralph Nader
Independent
720,227
0.56%
Bob Barr
Libertarian
529,767
0.41%
Chuck Baldwin
Constitution
189,888
0.15%
Cynthia McKinney
Green
157,585
0.12%
Methods of Campaigning
• Most effective
– Television
– Radio
– Internet (facebook,
myspace, twitter)
– E-mail
• Least effective
– Canvassing (door-todoor)
– Newspaper ads
– Mail flyers
Free Advertising
• A candidate can get free advertising
through news stories and interviews
Advantages of an incumbent
• Experience
• Name recognition
• Franking privilege
(free mailings
through USPS)
• Easier time raising
money
Public opinion polling
• Lets candidates know what issues are
important to voters
• Predicts who will win the election
Propaganda
11/2/2010
Goal 4
Objective
• 4.02 – Describe the election process
and the qualifications and procedures
for voting.
Propaganda
• A statement or
image meant to
mislead people
into believing an
exaggerated truth
Campaign Propaganda
Forms of Propaganda
• Bandwagon-Sounding like everyone supports
the candidate
– Ex: All young adults are voting for Ms. Nall
• Glittering Generalities-Promising something
very general and vague
– “If you elect me I will change America”
• Just Plain Folks-Making the candidate look
like everyday people
– “I am from a working class family just like you.”
Forms of Propaganda
• Name Calling-Attacking the other candidate’s
weaknesses in order to gain support
– “My opponent is not a supporter of health care reform
• Stacked Cards-Only presenting one side of the issue
– “I will reform health care, bring jobs to the US, improve social
security, and lower taxes
• Endorsement- Getting the support of someone
important or famous to lure in voters
– Oprah Winfrey supports Obama
Create your own Propaganda
Techniques
• Illustrate two types of propaganda
• Split the paper in half
• On the top of each section, make sure you
explain what type of propaganda technique
you are using.