Civics 4.2

Civics 4.2

Elections and Voting

Multiple Choice

Party leaders gather at the national convention to nominate their candidates for president and vice -president. While there they draft a lost of policies and programs the party will support. What is the list of policies and programs called?

• the party plank

• the party platform

• the party machine

• the party system

Multiple Choice

What type of election occurs months before the election in November when you have several options to choose from in your party?

• General

• Primary

• Run-off

• National

Elections

• General - November - local, state, and federal

• Primary - voters choose from candidates in the same party

• Run-off - no clear majority of 50% or more so top two voted on

• some state choose their party's nominee by caucus instead of primary - Iowa - appoint delegates who vote at the national convention

Elections

• most state elections are partisan (D, R, or I next to name)

• some local and state elections are non-partisan (no labeled party affiliation)

• focus on credentials rather than party affiliation

• Special elections - recall elections - remove elected official from office

Elections

• initiative - citizens force a vote on a particular issue by getting enough citizens to sign a petition

• propositions - votes to determine whether or not the public supports a certain policy or changes in the law

Poll

Do you think recall elections should be done more often?

• Yes

• No

• Maybe/Unsure

• Case by case

Open Ended

What questions do you have from the video or what did it clear up for you about the electoral college?

Open Ended

What questions do you have from the video or what did it clear up for you about the electoral college?

Electoral College

• winner of the presidential election chosen not by the people but be electors from each state to the Electoral College

• each state possesses a certain amount of representatives (2 senators + # of House of Reps.)

• Win majority vote, get all except in 2 states

• do not need popular vote to win

Campaigns

• strategy for winning/process of running for office

• PACS - political action committees - heavily financed groups which back one candidate due to issues the PAC wishes addressed

• since 1976, presidential candidates have access to public funding if they accept the $, must limit campaign spending

Campaigns

• Canvassing - volunteers go door to door or put themselves in public areas to bring attention to their candidate

• Political endorsements - statements of support from influential leaders and/or organizations

Open Ended

What is Propaganda?

Propaganda

• information meant to influence voters to support a specific candidate over another

• "stacking cards" - strategy misleading of information which may or may not be true

• Image Molding - positive or negative

Campaigning

• positive campaigning - appeal to mainstream voters by having candidates appear normal or "just plain folk"

• make them relatable

• Negative campaigning - name calling

• Candidates speak in "glittering generalities"

Open Ended

How is campaigning used in elections?