5.1 Elections in the USA Flashcards
What are the 6 stages of an election in the USA?
- invisible primary
- primaries and caucuses
- national party conventions
- election campaigns
- election day
- electoral college voting
What is an invisible primary?
The period between candidates declaring intention to run for the presidency and the first primaries and caucuses
What is the aim of a candidate in the invisible primaries?
A candidate will hope to be mentioned as a possible serious presidential candidate. They’ll want traction from Newspapers such as the New York Times and the Washington Post
What sort of things may a candidate do in the invisible primary?
- televised party debates
- fundraising
What term is used which means a candidate in the invisible primary gets enough money?
“War Chest”, money brings the ability to campaign and advertise which brings improved poll ratings.
How effective a television debates in the invisible primary?
Significantly effective. Debates allow candidates to propose serious policy debates as well as challenge the policies of other candidates. Television is a big source of information for the electorate so is key in getting right as it will reach a huge audience.
How effective are publishing books in the invisible primary?
Somewhat effective, they are a great tool for the electorate to understand their proposed candidate however they are only useful when they are read.
What is a Primary?
A state based election to choose a party’s candidate for the Presidency.
What is a caucus?
A series of state based meetings to choose a party’s candidate for the Presidency
Where are caucuses usually held?
In large geographical areas with a sparsely densely population
What are the 2 rules for a primary?
- timing of primaries
- types of primaries
What rules exist with the timing of primaries?
National parties can decide when to hold their primaries, but individual states have a say within the parameters. Some states deliberately hold their primaries together, this is known as a Superb Tuesday. Some states schedule their primaries for earlier in the year, this is known as front loading.
What rules exist with the types of primaries states can hold?
Can be divided up into closed and open primaries.
What is a Super Tuesday?
A Tuesday in February or early March when a number of states group together to try to influence the outcome of the primaries
What is front loading?
When states schedule their presidential primaries and caucuses earlier in the year to increase their importance
What is a closed primary?
A primary whereby only registered members for that party can vote in their parties primary
What is an open primary?
A primary whereby anyone can vote in either party’s primary
How do open primaries allow for cross-over voting?
Whereby Democrat voters can opt to participate in the Republican party primary
What is the impact of an incumbent on a primary?
Primaries fall into insignificance. An incumbent in unlikely to face any severe opposition and therefore become relected..
What is a National Party convention?
The meeting held every 4 years to discuss and nominate the presidential and vice presidential candidate and the party platform in which it will occur.
What are the 3 formal functions of a National Party Convention?
- choosing the party’s presidential candidate
- choosing the party’s VP
- deciding the party platform
Explain the choosing the party’s presidential candidate function of the National Party Convention?
Because of the counted results of the primaries and caucuses, the result of the convention is a forgone conclusion. Delegates to a candidate appear in a hall to vote for their candidate.
What is a brokered convention?
A national party convention whereby no candidate achieves sufficient support in the primaries and caucuses.
Explain the choosing the party’s VP candidate function of the National Party Convention?
Not really a thing in the past 20 years. Kamala Harris was announced as Joe Biden’s VP 2 days before the convention
