Democracy And Participation- Elections Flashcards
Electoral college
Decide who will recieve their particular states ecv
Compromise as couldnt agree on direct election or with congress
Group of electors nominated each state
Fptp system
Electors are not forced to vote for the candidate who won popular vote in state- faithless voter
Possible reforms to ec
Direct election
Automatic plan
Proportional system
Maine system
Possible reform- direct election
Abolish ec and replace one person one vote
All votes across country are counted and popualr vote wins
Need constitutional ammendment- unlikely
Automatic plan
Used in over half states
Keeps ec but abolishes electors, ecb awared to winning candidate in state automaticall
But ff wanted free agents
Proportional system
Ecvs in direct proportion to % of votes won in each state
Fairer on 3rd parties.independants- in 192- ross perot would have won 100 ecvs rather than none
But unlikely as disadv two main parties whos support is require df ro any signif reform to be actioned
Maine system
Maine and nabraska
Ecvs allocated on district by district basis plus two for oveerall winner
But research suggestst can lead to even more disproportionate result than current system
Should the ec be reformed
Federalism
Clear result and strong mandate
Represetation of states/cohesiveness of system
Past success
Loa-yes
Should ec be reformed- no federalism
Protects and reinforces principle of federalism
Gives small states as a voice as always have above 3 ecvs
Replace with national popular vote would undermine
Should ec be reformed- yes- federlaism
Disproportionate- wyoming x3 v california
Hyperbolic not only force bringing federlaism
Ireelevant for nationwide leader, why need for fed voting system
Shoulld ec be reformed=n no= clear result and storng mandate
Winner tajes all- 2 party/horse race
Votes clear choice and winner generally has a strong mandate by winning a majority of popular vote
National popular vote- 3rd parties do better- unlikely to win buty may prvenet winner ganining 50% plus votes
Should ec be refomred- clear result and strong mandate- yes
Doesnt allways happen- 2000 and 2017- not popular vote undermines principle of popular soverignty
3rd party represented- lack of choice may contribute to lack of participation
Should ec be reformed- rep of states/cohesiveness of system- no
State based syustem, candidates have to campaign and win across wide vaierty of states
President more likely to govern with interests of whole country in mind
Should ec be refomred- Rep of states/cohesiveness of system- yes
Unrealistic to reach all
96^ events both sides went in 12 states- 2020- eg ohio florida michigan
Gov scott walkker- the nation as a whole is not going to elect the next president’ ‘12 states are
Bellwhether states (those which generally follow outcome oveerall) over rep- as their votes which can cchange
Should ec be refomre-d no past sucess
Critics exaggerate
2000 and 2016 unusual- historically winner pop vote winner ec
Faithless voters rare- 16 since 1900
No consesnus on what to change§
Should ec be refomred- past sucess- yes
Increasing frequently flawed
7 faithless electors 2020
Presidential elections
Every 4y
Fixed date
Max 2 terms
1968 reason for change
Democratci patry coice of humphrey as presidential candiate cuased protests and rioting at nat party convention
In response mcgovern frasher commission to consult possile reofmrs to nomination process
Before 1968 process
Decision made at national party convention
Exciting unpredictable
Ordinary voters had no real say in process- delegaets at npcs often influenced party beurocracy ‘men in grey suits’ in ‘smoke filled rooms
Meant candidates with establisheed party connections had adv over new people- may be ex senators
No long primary campaigns so financaisl reaosns not that important
Experienced knowelgable people choose cnadiate- peer review
Since 1968
Today conventions more of a formality- know whose won
Proces smore open and democratic with foucs on ordinary voters rather than party
Now possible for outsiders with little or no dc expeince come throgh- trump
Fundraising no crucial in long rpimary campaign- obama ‘click to donate’ utilised social media and acebook
Peer review disappear
Invisable primary
Period 1-2y before us priamry season official begins
Hadley 6 tests
Psychological- character, ability deal with gruelling cmapign
Staff- create campign organisation and recruiiting top professionals to help
Strategy policy ideas
Money fundraiser
Media build profil ein press, tv
Constityuency local volunteers- obama strength
Highly significant in recent years invisable primaries
Increased demand money- ‘money primaries’ often top fundraiser nominatied
2008 obana perform well all iover- recruit team of advisers and thousands of volunteers, became serious contender
During 2015-16 trump top contender
Frontloading hit ground running
Bennet- culing and seperation of field in 2020 over 20 candidates
But what less isgnif in recnet years invisable primaries
2007 mccain 4th opinion polls 4th fundraiser yet won
Poor performance etv debate arrogant and unprepare
Lack early campaign practise and momentum dif finvidable primayr- focus super tuesday- bloomsbrugh spent over 600 mill in tv and social media in super tuesday states
Caucus
Intraparty meeting in which voters physically exercise their preferences in order to decde who will represent their party on the ballot in the presidential eelctcion
Used fby 4 states