Unit 5: The Electoral Process and Direct Democracy Flashcards
Name the 4 types of election in the US
Presidential
Congressional
Primaries
Direct Democracy
Name 3 ways the US electoral system could be considered effective
Lots of participation
Majoritarian system used in most elections - provides clear result
States have a large role
Name 3 ways the US electoral system could be considered ineffective
Voter fatigue
Favours two party system
States often manipulate elections e.g gerrymandering, ID laws
Name 3 ways midterms could be considered important
The coattails phenomenon (Pres. carries popular candidates into office with them) has diminished by midterms
Pres party usually loses seats in both houses - voters can express dissatisfaction with pres performance
Split ticket voting
Name 3 ways midterms could be considered UNimportant
Strong support for incumbents
Split districts have been declining
Less competitive districts
Name the 7 stages of the Presidential election process in order
Invisible primary
Primaries and caucuses
VP candidates
National party conventions
General election campaigns
Election day
The electoral college
Name the 3 constitutional requirements to become President
Natural-born American citizen
35 years old
Residency qualification of 14 years
Define invisible primary
The period between candidates declaring an
intention to run for the presidency and the first primaries and caucuses
Define primaries
A state-based election to choose a party’s candidate for the presidency.
Define caucuses
A state-based series of meetings to choose a party’s candidate for the presidency.
Define national party convention
The meeting held every four years by each of the two major parties to select presidential and vice presidential candidates and agree the party platform
What is the difference between a closed and open primary?
Closed - only registered party members can vote, Open - anyone can vote
What is the difference between Proportional and Winner-takes-all primaries?
Proportional - delegates awarded proportional to votes, Winner takes all - whoever gets most votes gets all delegates
Name 3 advantages of primaries and caucuses
Increased participation
Staggered length means many states can influence outcome
Increased choice
Name 2 disadvantages of primaries and caucuses
Voter apathy
Focus on candidates not policy
Name 2 reasons why national party conventions are and are not important
Yes: Party unity, enthuse voters
No: Candidates decided through primaries, VP candidates announced before elections
Name 3 reasons why the electoral college should be abolished
Small states over represented
Loser of popular vote can win
Potential deadlock
Name 3 reasons why the electoral college should not be abolished
Small states represented
Tradition - created by founding fathers, hard to abolish due to amendment
Other reforms more important
Name 5 factors determining election outcome
Incumbency
Money
Media
Key issues
Leadership
Name 3 ways campaigns are financed
PACs and Super PACs
Self-funding
Matching funds
What is matching funds?
An attempt to limit campaign expenditure by offering to match reduced funds
Name 3 reasons to reform campaign finance in the US
2020 spent more money than 2012 and 2016 combined
Only personally wealthy can enter politics
Loopholes e.g super PACs
Name 3 reasons to not reform campaign finance in the US
Candidates still need to appeal to all voters
Spending doesn’t mean victory - Clinton
First Amendment - freedom of speech
What impact did 9/11 have on voter behaviour?
9/11 - shift toward republican, increase participation
Name the 3 forms of direct democracy
Propositions
Referendums
Recall elections
Define propositions
Citizens can propose laws on a state level
Name 3 steps to filing a proposition
File with a state official
Circulate to get required signatures
Submit to officials for verification
Define a recall election
Voters can remove an elected official before their term has expired
Name 3 reasons why campaign finance is different in the UK and US due to structural reasons
Constitution vs Parkiametary sovereignty
Federalism vs devolution
Role of SC and judicial review
Name 3 reasons why campaign finance is different in the UK and US due to rational reasons
People donate to further own beliefs
People make decisions on variety of factors
People have more freedom to spend money in US (liberal US vs. conservative UK)
Name 2 reasons why campaign finance is different in the UK and US due to cultural reasons
Importance of free speech
Concern over too much government control - fear of tyranny
Name 3 reasons why the electoral process is similar or different in the UK and US due to structural reasons
US has primaries and caucuses but UK doesn’t
Both set limited terms for elected offices
Both use FPTP - but UK uses different in devolved
Name 3 reasons why the electoral process is different in the UK and US due to rational reasons
Attacks more personal in US
Both focus on swing states/constituencies
Both place importance on personal skills
Name 3 reasons why the electoral process is different in the UK and US due to cultural reasons
US has more diversity, both minorities favour left wing
US religious right, UK not
Younger voters more left wing - tuition fees and immigration
