Elections US and Voting behaviour Flashcards
Primaries
A Formal secret ballot election that selects delegates for party’s presidential nomination conventions
- They are used to chose part candidate for state and congressional elections.
Caucuses
A meeting whereby local members of a political party register their preference amongst candidates running for office
- or selecting candidates to attend a convention.
National nominating convention
- The occasion where the successful candidate is formally endorsed as their party candidate for the forthcoming presidential candidate.
Gerrymandering
- Deliberate manipulation of electoral district boundaries, with the intent of creating undue advantage for a part, group within the constituency.
Split- ticket voting
This is when a voter decides to vote for candidate from different parties in the same election.
Abstention
Not turning out to vote
Incumbency
An existing elected representative up for re- election
Write-in
- Some states leave a blank space on ballot papers so voters can write the name of candidates who do not appear on the ballot paper.
Electoral College
- Formally elects the President, usually state- based.
Electoral System
- Usually State based.
- For example, Georgia election law requires a top-two election for its Senate seat.
- California, the top two candidates regardless of their party affiliation are selected in a state primary, and then goes head to head in the actual Senate election
How are states given Electoral College Votes?
- By the number of Congress people they have.
Equivalent to the size of their congressional delegation
How many ECV’S does California have?
55
How many ECV’S does Washington DC have?
3, since Amendment 21 in 1961
How frequent is the Census?
Every 10 years, it can also change the boundaries for the House of Representative districts.
What system is used for the Congressional elections?
FPTP- the one with the most votes wins.
How frequent is the Presidential elections?
Every 4 years in November.
How frequent is the Congressional elections?
- Every 2 years
- When the whole House, and a third of the Senate is up for election.
Mid- terms
Elections taking place between presidential election.
Strengths of the Electoral system
- It offers many opportunities for political participation.
- An almost entirely clear majoritarian electoral system usually ensures clear results.
- Primaries and caucuses enable ordinary voters to play the key role in selecting candidates for political parties.
Weaknesses of the Electoral system
- The Electors can suffer from voter’s fatigue.
- The Electoral system tends to favour a two- party dominant system, with little chance for minor parties and independents.
- Primaries and causes increases the time of elections and campaigning, it also encourages divisions within the party.
Advantages of Primaries and Caucuses
- Boost opportunities for political participation
- Caucuses provides an opportunity for ordinary voters to discuss the relative merits and weaknesses of candidates.
- It allows political outsiders to run for major office; eg Trump.
- The length of primary campaigns enables a wide range of states to influence the outcome.
Disadvantages of Primaries and Caucuses
- It increases focus on candidates as opposed to party or policies, exacerbates divisions eg Bill Clinton and Bernie Sanders in 2016.
- Outsiders can often lack DC connections and experience needed. Insiders often win nomination.
- It adds to the overall costs and lengths of campaigns, which increases voter’s fatigue.
- Caucuses meetings lacks voters secrecy and involves lengthy time and commitment. The 2020 Democrats Iowa caucus proved farcical (absurd).
Role of the Party convention (NNC)
- a chance to unite a divided party
- Gives momentum to the candidate via publicity and a chance to explain and outline their main policy.
- It marks the formal beginning of the presidential campaigns.
