Democracy and Participation Flashcards
What are the 2 stages of the Presidential election proces>
Stage 1: Primaries and Caucuses - candidates compete against each other state by state
Stage 2: the winning candidates of each party face off. Winner is decided by an electoral college by state, rather than a popular national vote
What are Primaries?
held in most states by both parties
Public vote by secret ballot
Each party state nominates delegates, they attend who attend the party convention at the end and pledge their support to the winning candidate
what are opened at closed primaries?
Open primaries - any voter can choose either party’s primary to vote
closed party votes - only registered party members can take part
semi-closed party votes - allows both registered party members and independent voters to take part
what happens after a primary
the winning candidate from each primary will get the support of the party delegates, that will go to the party convention and cast their cotes for them
republican primaries - winining candidate awarded all the delegates
democratic primaries - delegates awarded proportionately
What are caucuses
a series of meetings in specific locations across the state on a given day
members of the public raise their hands in support of a candidate
the result are tally and delegates are awarded in the same way as primaries
what is the first stage?
‘the invisible stage’
potential candidates begin to surface at least 2 years before the presidential election
they will usually publish a book or or start taking to the media more often
2016 Hilary Clinton “Hard Choices’ was seen to be her ‘manifesto’
What was the Iowa Straw Poll
Used to be apart of the Republican election fixture
first official, non binding, vote on potential candidates
How is the Parties’ Presidential Nominee decided?
each states delegates arrive at the party convention, each state sends a certain number according to size and population
most delegates already pledge d since the primaries and therefore is usually a foregone conclusion
Super delegates (special party officials) votes count for more
what is the party platform
normal functions
toes would have held various town hall meetings and focus groups etc
website contributions and public campaigns
the winning candidate will stand by all the policy decisions chosen throughout the campaign
usual generic so as to not alienate anybody
exceptions of a few presidential nominees such as Trump 20016 with building a wall policy as part of the party platform
What is promoting unity
informal funcito
a chance for the defeated candidates to rally around the victor
Vivek Ramaswamy 2024 endorsed Trump
Former Presidents can endorse candidates such as Clinton endorsing Obama in 2008 and 2012
Enthusing the party faithful
informal functions
the main function is to enthuse support and actively campaign
knocking on doors
phone calls
organising events and allies
How do candidates appeal to swing voters
informal functions
acceptance speech is closely watched
chance or a ‘poll bounce’
how does the electoral college work?
Article II states that the president must be elected every 4 years y an electoral college
all though the name of a presidential candidate is on the ballot, the voter is really sending their preference to the electors for their state
the electors will then vote for the candidate which won a plurality in that state
each state has a number of lectors which reflect the number of the number of members of congress
whichever candidate wins the popular vote in that state, wins all of the electors
apart form 2 states Maine and Nebraska, who’s electors are awarded to the winning candidates in each district
What is the important eof the party system in electoral success?
2 party system, ll presidents in the modern era come from two parties
spoiler effect - third-party candidates such as Ralph Nader 2000
Third party candidates can also influence policy such as Rosss Perot in 1992
third party candidates or independent candidates can use the main party primaries to gain higher status
what is the power of incumbency
a sitting president up for reelection generally tends to win - such as Barak Obama in 2012
