The electoral process and direct democracy Flashcards
What is the electoral college?
The indirect electoral system used to elect the US president every four years. Each state (plus Washington DC) is allocated a number of voted depending on population. There are 538 college voters and a simple majority (270) is needed to win. The number of votes is based on how many senators and house representatives each state has, so Pennsylvania has 20 electoral college votes (2 senators and 18 representatives).
How often is the House of Representatives and the Senate elected and what is the criteria to become one?
The House of Representatives is elected every 2 years and you have to be a US citizen for over 7 years, be over the age of 25 and live in which state you want to run for. The senate is elected every two years on a rolling basis, as senators sit in the senate for 6 years at a time. To be a senator you have to be at least thirty years of age; U.S. citizenship (at least nine years); and live in the state at time of election.
What are the main characteristics of the US presidential and congressional campaigns (three F’s)?
Frequency- National elections occur every two years, presidential every four. American politics is often described as ‘constant campaigning’.
Focus - Elections are dominated by personalities as candidates are responsible got their own fundraising. Congressional elections focus on local issues, presidential elections focus on the party and national policies. Focus is also on getting people out to vote for elections
Format- Three televised presidential debates. Much campaigning involves promoting a candidates character. Religious? Background? Business record?
Also involves attack ads on opponents and October surprises.
What are primaries and what different types of primaries are their (3 types)?
A primary is a secret ballot to select each party’s candidate. Used in over 2/3 of states, including the biggest urban states.
Open -voters can choose on the day which parties primary to vote in.
Closed - Voters can only vote in the primary if they are registered with the party.
Non-partisan blanket/jungle- (congressional elections only) there are no party primaries, just a single vote to select the top two candidates who go forward to the general election.
What are advantages and disadvantages of primaries?
Advantages:
-allows ordinary voters to choose their party’s candidate
-preferable to ‘smoke-filled’ rooms, more transparency
-Test candidates qualities for office, fundraising, stamina, media presence and grasp of policy issues
-Wide range of states can influence the outcome
Disadvantages
-Adds to the cost and length of campaigns
-Increases focus on candidates rather than party or policies
- Open primaries can encourage voters to opt for the weakest candidate for the opposition party - ‘raiding’
- jungle primaries can result in two candidates from the same party being elected, 2016 California senate was two democrats.
What are caucuses?
A caucus is an informal series of party meetings which ultimately select delegates for the national nominating convention. Voting is open and not secret, each caucus lasting several hours.
caucuses are used in a minority of states, mainly more rural and less populated ones.
Iowa is the first caucus of the season.
What are the advantages and disadvantages to caucuses?
Advantages:
-Caucuses enable more thorough discussion and debate among party activists of candidates’ strengths and weaknesses.
-There is no opportunity for ‘raiding’ as there is in primaries
Disadvantages:
-Length and timing often discourage many voters from participating, especially those involved in shift work, or who are housebound or have childcare responsibilities.
-No secret ballot
-Attracts mainly strong party activists/more ideological and extreme voters.
National nominating conventions, what are they? Why are they important?
These are conventions held by each party to nominate the candidate to run for president. It is similar to a huge party, lots of balloons and publicity. Important for media coverage and presenting a united front.
They are often held in swing states such as Ohio, Iowa or Pennsylvania. A successful convention often leads to short-term boost in poll rating and greater momentum for the candidate.
Arguments for the electoral college.
- Normally delivers the ‘right’ result (winners wins popular vote and electoral college) clear winner.
- Reflects the federal nature of the USA, ensures campaigning in lots of states
- No other method has gained widespread bipartisan support
- A nationwide popular vote would lead to candidates to focus on large urban areas
- Laws could be passed to award electors proportionally in each state without the need to abolish the EC, which would require a constitutional amendment
- Support for reform comes from ‘bad looser’
Arguments against the electoral college.
- Winner of the popular vote can fail to become president (2000, 2016)
- Smaller people are over-represented, California has one electoral voter per 712,000 people, Wyoming has one per 195,000.
- EC drawn up in a different era when the US was much smaller and less diverse
- Encourages candidates to focus on ‘swing states’ rather than ‘safe states’
- Depresses turnout, especially in safe states
- Majority of Americans (poll - 54-41%) may want to replace the Electoral College with a direct popular vote.
- discriminates against independents/third parties, ‘wasted vote’ syndrome.
