Elections & Incumbency Flashcards
Incumbency
The person who has the job keeps the job at reelection
Incumbency rates in US are very high
Incumbent - the person currently holding office
2020 Incumbency Rates
93% of incumbents were successful
Lowest was in Virginia at 77%
Only Delaware & Mississippi were at 100% incumbent win rate
Congressional incumbents had a 98% win rate
41 states had a 100% win rate in congressional races
Disadvantages of Incumbency
Unlikely for new politicans to run, as figure the incumbent will win
Same person in power for long time = lack of new ideas
Guarantee win, so they can become less motivated to run and decrease effectiveness
Put off people from voting as know they know who will win
2024 Incumbency Rates
97% in total
House: 97%
Senate: 92%
Representation
Social representation
- Congress don’t do well with it as they are unrepresented with women and non-white
The Delegate Model
- Legislators follow their constituents’ preferences
The Trustee Model
- Allows legislators to follow their own judgement
Congressional Elections
They use FPTP = wasted votes, two party system, winner bonus, tactical voting
This leads to high incumbency because only have two choices and less challenges
Incumbency Advantages
Franking Privileges - Free mailing to raise awareness to recent successes
- Can’t be promotion to vote for them
Name recognition
Ability to provide constituency services
- Track record of helping makes people like you
Seniority in Congress
- Membership can benefit them
Official website
- More recognised/ professional look
- Shows success and influence
- Easy way to contact
Pork Barrel Politics
Funds given for projects in a member of Congress’ state
Only to create jobs/investment
‘Big Dig Highway’ project
- wasn’t essential and cost lot of money
- But benefited lots of people as they got jobs
Gerrymandering
Deliberately shaping of congressional district
Missisipi - high African American population, but vote dones not matter as in their area Rep are in control so they prob won’t vote for them
Northern Ireland - catholic votes don’t matter in elections
