Campaigns and Elections Flashcards
National political campaigns often complain of the “front-loading of primaries.” What do they mean?
Front-loading of primaries is when a state moves up the date of its primary. Since primaries are incredibly important to a candidate’s campaign, the effect of moving up the primary date is to increase that state’s importance.
The two earliest primary states are typically Iowa and New Hampshire, and other often jockey for position behind them. Political parties have been known to penalize states for moving their primaries too early.
What is a blanket primary?
In a blanket primary, voters pick one candidate for each elective office without consideration of party lines. The candidates with the highest vote totals by party for each office then stand in the general election as their party’s nominee. Blanket primaries are used only in Alaska and Washington.
As an example, during a blanket primary a voter may choose a Republican gubernatorial candidate and a Democratic candidate for state treasurer.
Although most states use the primary system of choosing candidates, a small handful use the caucus system. What takes place in the caucus system?
In caucus systems, party members meet at the precinct level, where they choose representatives to county meetings. At these county meetings, representatives are chosen for the state convention, where the state’s preference for a nominee is made by choosing delegates to the national convention.
At the time the states ratified the Constitution, to whom did suffrage extend?
At the time the states ratified the Constitution, only white male property owners were entitled to vote.
During the first few decades of the 19th century, the property qualification was gradually abolished in almost all states (although South Carolina remained an exception).
What is the role of the Federal Election Commission?
The Federal Election Commission discloses campaign finance information and enforces federal election laws, including those that put dollar limits on the amount of contributions a candidate may receive from each supporter.
What did the Federal Election Campaign Act establish?
Passed in the wake of Watergate, the Federal Election Campaign Act provided matching funds for both primary and general election candidates. The Act provides that for each dollar raised, a matching amount of funds will be provided by the federal government, provided the candidate agrees to some restrictions on contributions from the public.
The system was designed to eliminate the influence of money in politics, and provide outsiders with a chance to win their party’s nomination. In 2008, President Obama declined federal funds, and both candidates did so in 2012.
What is the Australian ballot?
First popularized in Australia, the Australian ballot received widespread adoption in the early 1900s. Under the Australian ballot, a voter’s ballot is cast in private.
As part of the Progressive Movement, the use of the Australian ballot marked a significant reform as a means of preventing voter intimidation.
How does voter turnout in non-presidential election years compare with voter turnout in presidential election years?
Voter turnout in non-presidential election years is typically lower than voter turnout in presidential election years.
Overall, voter turnout has been decreasing since the early 1900s, which many political scientists attribute to a decline in political efficacy.
What is the minimum voting age in national elections?
Pursuant to the 26th Amendment, the minimum voting age is 18 years old.
How does the case of Buckley v. Valeo (1976) affect federal elections?
In Buckley, the Court upheld the Federal Election Campaign Act, which limited the amount a donor could contribute directly to a candidate’s campaign.
The Court did strike down a portion of the act, which prohibited candidates from contributing a large amount to their own campaigns.
Define precinct
A precinct is the smallest electoral district in a county.
In urban areas, counties are typically divided into wards, which are then further subdivided into precincts.
What decision did the Supreme Court reach in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)?
In Citizens United, the Court struck down portions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, that prohibited electioneering communications from unions, corporations, and not-for-profits in the days shortly before an election. The Court held that the act violated the First Amendment rights of these groups.
Define Solid South
The term “Solid South” refers to the dominance of the Democratic Party in the former Confederate States, which lasted roughly from the end of Reconstruction until the 1960s, when Southern Democrats broke with the party over the issue of civil rights.
Define plurality election
A plurality election is one in which there are multiple candidates, but the candidate achieving the most votes (not necessarily a majority) is elected to office.
While the Constitution requires that the president be elected by a majority (or the election is decided by the House of Representatives), there is no constitutional requirement that congressmen be elected by a majority.
Define suffrage
Suffrage means having the right to vote.
