Electoral Process

Electoral Process

Election Day

• Elections occur every year

• Every 2 years = all members of the U.S House of Representatives , 33 U.S Senators and all the NC General Assembly

• Every 4 years = President, NC Governor

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Step 1: Campaign Announcment

• A candidate announces he is "running" for president

• affiliate with a major political party

Step 2: What if there are too many candidates?

• Democrats and Republicans across the country vote for the candidate they want to represent their party.

• States hold primary elections and caucuses

• Primary Season: February to June

Primaries and Caucuses

Primaries & Caucuses

Video has more details

Step 3: Nomination

• Democratic and Republican Parties hold a National Convention to formally choose the candidate representing the party.

• Late Summer: July-September

Step 4: Campaign

• Activate voters: voter registration drives, calling voters, rallies

• Advertise

• Fundraise

Testimonial

Having a well-known person or a trusted group speak in favor or against a candidate

"Yes We Can" 2008 Barack Obama

Bandwagon

An ad suggests that everyone supports the candidate so you should too

"I Like Ike" 1952 Dwight Eisenhower

Transfer

well-known images and symbols are used with a candidate to evoke a positive or negative emotion

"Celeb" 2008 John McCain

Card-stacking

An ad focuses only on the positive or good policies of a candidate. Typically, used by a candidate running for reelection

"It's Morning Again in America" 1984 Ronald Reagan

Plain Folks

An ad presents the candidate as a regular person with the same concerns as other Americans.

"The Man From Hope" 1992 Bill Clinton

Name-Calling or Labeling

An ad tries to make the viewer disapprove of a candidate by using negative language and images when describing him or her.

"Windsurfing" 2004 George W Bush

Glittering Generalities

A candidate gains approval by using vague phrases that the viewer agrees with. The ad does not go into detail.

"Courage to Lead" Tim Pawlenty

Step 5: General Election

• Americans go to the polls to vote for Democratic, Republican or Third Party candidate

Faithless Elector State Laws - FairVote

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