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Politics > US elections new verison ! > Flashcards

US elections new verison ! Flashcards

1
Q

US elections are held

A

Every 4 years as set out in artical 2 of the consitution
Via electoral college

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2
Q

Candidates are required to have (not in consitution)

A

political experience
endorsement
personal characteristics
organisation
oratorical/telegenic skills
relevant polices

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3
Q

Most important requirement of presidential candidate (not in consitution)

A

Ability to raise large sums of money ( WAR CHEST )

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4
Q

What is an invisible primary

A

Period inbetween declaring an intention and the first contest

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5
Q

invisible primary allows candidates to focus on

A

getting name recognition
fundraising money (war chest)
having organisation

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6
Q

Invisible primary’s are played out

A

mainly in the media

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7
Q

during the invisible primary state the candidates will

A

formally announce that they are entering the presidential race

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8
Q

Formal events during invisible primary’s will take place where

A

in important states ( swing states )

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9
Q

what are intra party debates and when do they occur

A

during the invisible primary
highlight factions of party
criticised for soundbites

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10
Q

front runners at the end of invisible primary usually

A

goes on to be the parties nominee but exceptions include
Trump Obama McCain Romney

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11
Q

Second stage is

A

primaries and caucuses

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12
Q

Presidential primary is

A

state based election to choose parties candidates

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13
Q

votes in presidential primaries =

A

how many delegates from that state will vote for that candidate in the National Party Conference

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14
Q

What method do majority of the states use to vote for party candidates

A

Primaries!
Caucuses are used by geographically large but thinly populated states

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15
Q

What are caucuses

A

State based series of meetings for candidate selection

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16
Q

Which state has the first caucus and what is turnout usually like

A

Iowa!
Turnout is generally lower

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17
Q

Timings of primaries

A

States decide when
usually mid jan to beginning of june

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18
Q

why do some states have early primaries

A

to have more influence this is called FRONT LOADING

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19
Q

Why might some states wait till the last day for primaries

A

To increase prominence

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20
Q

Example of when primaries have been important

A

2024 15 states held primaries on same day ( super tuesday )

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21
Q

Types of primaries

A

Closed open and modified

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22
Q

what is a closed primary

A

primary election where any registered democrat can vote in the democrat primary and any registered republican can vote in the democrat primary

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23
Q

What is an open primary and what can this lead to

A

only registered voters can vote in either party primary
can lead to tactical voting

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24
Q

what is a modified primary

A

registered voters of a particular party can vote in their primaries AND independents can vote in either BUT only once

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25
Q

most states calculate votes for primaries

A

proportionally
this replaces winner takes all method

26
Q

proportional primaries effect

A

nomination races will last longer as it takes candidate longer to secure nomination
most states set a threshold for a candidate to secure ANY delegates

27
Q

What state has the first caucus
and first primary

A

Iowa
new hampshire

28
Q

what do early primaries and caucuses help states gain

A

political focus and attention as they are small
they are vital for securing a nomination
but last 3 presidents didn’t secure these states…

29
Q

If a candidate doesn’t gain Iowa or NH support

A

someone can come from behind them and take the spot as the states provide money and media attention to allow a campaign to gather pace

30
Q

Disadvantages of early primaries

A

don’t represent the country as iowa is predominantly white
Staggering isn’t fair as not all states have a voice in the process, they set the tone for the whole election

31
Q

Incumbent presidents primaries

A

little to no coverage
some states don’t even have one
mostly no opposition

32
Q

Rarely in primaries incumbent presidents will face

A

opposition
bush carter ford
all were re-elected but LOST THE ELECTION
opponents can exploit their weaknesses

33
Q

Voter turnout in primaries is determined by

A

-some states having better educated,older,richer voters
-any competition which makes them also last longer

34
Q

Early primaries turnout are usually

A

Higher then later ones and voters can assume who will win

35
Q

If a candidate doesn’t enter a primary

A

they can still be nominated
1968 Humphrey - controlled by state party conventions

36
Q

Why did the method of choosing candidates become more democratic

A

Humphrey defeated by Nixon
this will enhance chances of success

37
Q

Primaries increased level of participation

A

1968- 11% registered voted before reform
2008- 30%
2016- 29%
2020 -lower due to lack of contest republicans

38
Q

Voter apathy and boredom in primaries

A

when incumbent president involved
Iowa 2020 - 9%
Process too long
JFK announce candidacy 66 days before first primary and Biden 2020 announce 558 days before

39
Q

Wide range of candidates 2020

A

30

40
Q

“party bosses” power has been reduced which leads to

A

less potential for corruption
making process more democratic

41
Q

Media have replaced “party bosses” as new Kingmakers

A

2016 40 tv debates before candidates chosen and most took place before Iowa caucus
2020 democrat 11 debates
2024 republicans 5 debates which trump did not attend

42
Q

primaries used as a “

A

litmus test” for coping with the gruelling demands of being president
Poll in 2024 march biden too old to run

43
Q

how do primaries maintain federalism

A

states decide whether to hold primary or caucus
what type of primary
attempts to influence candidates

44
Q

Primaries can develop into what between parties

A

bitter personal debates
create impression of disunity which can damage eventual candidate in the election

45
Q

Example of disunity in 2024 primaries

A

Democrats 2024 outsider Phillips challenging Biden was the start of the unraveling of the party

46
Q

Caucuses undemocratic

A

Voters that are too ideological selecting candidates they are comfortable with rather than who’s best for the country

47
Q

Functions of national party conventions

A

Choosing parties presidential candidates
choosing VP candidate
Deciding party platform - policies

48
Q

Most important function of national party conventions

A

PROMOTING PARTY UNITY
2016 Romney and john kasich chose to stay away from republican convention rather than endorsing trump
Ted Cruz (main rival) gave 20 min speech failing to endorse trump and said “vote with your conscience”

49
Q

advantages of conventions

A

Exposure for candidate to party faithful
candidates with experience can bounce
Harris 2024 4% over trump post convention
Set narrative, define key elements

50
Q

Disadvantages of conventions

A

Few major decisions are taken
post are done pre convention now
soundbite coverage - harris 2024 speech + false accusations of trump

51
Q

what act made changes to campaign finance

A

The federal election campaign act 1974

52
Q

An act for new party finance was a result of what

A

the water gate scandal

53
Q

what changes were made to campaign finance

A

Federal election commission to enforce and regulate system
- hard money, limited individual contributions $1000 and limit corporate contributions to $5000 and no more donations from abroad
- Soft money, party can raise money to use on voter registration drives and party building activities

54
Q

572 group

A

donations from super rich and largely known people , millions of $

55
Q

Super PACS

A

fundraising committees permitted to receive and spend contributions aimed at electing or defeating candidates in federal elections

forbidden from coordinating with the campaign

allows free speech!

56
Q

Typically democrat states and republican

A

Massachusetts Texas
Illinois Kansas
California South carolina
New york

57
Q

Ohio swing state?

A

voted for winner of last 14 elections
however in 2020 broke this by voting Trump
less of a swing state now, more repub lean

58
Q

Michigan predictor/issues

A

Was democ might turn repub
Largest proportion of Arab american
backlash over Biden/Harris stance on Gaza and support for Israel

59
Q

Nevada issues/predictor

A

Democ might turn repub
5.1% unemployment rate
Large latino population

60
Q

Pennsylvania issues/predictor

A

Democ might turn repub
Trump survive assassination.
cost of living pressures
1/8 food insecure

61
Q

Wisconsin predictor/issues

A

Democ might turn repub
impact of 3rd party candidates
support for independent JFK Jt

Politics (14 decks)

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