CHAPTER 10B “RUNNING IN AN ELECTION”

THE RIGHT TO VOTE 1. People earn the right to vote at age 1. People earn the right to vote at age

18.18.

A. State QualificationsA. State Qualifications

1. Each state decides qualifications for 1. Each state decides qualifications for

voting in state elections.voting in state elections.

a. Must follow the U. S. a. Must follow the U. S.

Constitution.Constitution.

B. Registering to VoteB. Registering to Vote

1. Simply signing up to vote.1. Simply signing up to vote.

2. Usually only has to be done once.2. Usually only has to be done once.

C. Women Win the Right to VoteC. Women Win the Right to Vote

1. Early American traditions gave 1. Early American traditions gave women women

no rights.no rights.

a. List three rights women have today a. List three rights women have today

that they didn’t have before the that they didn’t have before the

Civil War.Civil War.

2. During the early 1800’s social 2. During the early 1800’s social

conditions for women began to conditions for women began to

change.change.

3. Women’s Rights Movement was 3. Women’s Rights Movement was

launched in 1848.launched in 1848.

4. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott 4. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott

were the two prominent women involved were the two prominent women involved

in the movement.in the movement.

5. In 1869 the National Woman Suffrage 5. In 1869 the National Woman Suffrage

Assosication was formed by Elizabeth Assosication was formed by Elizabeth

Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.

6. Susan B. Anthony was arrested in 1872 6. Susan B. Anthony was arrested in 1872

when she tried to vote in the Presidential when she tried to vote in the Presidential

election.election.

a. She was found guilty.a. She was found guilty.

7. In June, 1919 the 19th Amendment passed 7. In June, 1919 the 19th Amendment passed Congress by a narrow margin giving Congress by a narrow margin giving women the right to vote.women the right to vote.

D. Primary Elections (First)D. Primary Elections (First)

1. Are usually held in the spring.1. Are usually held in the spring.

2. Some states hold state conventions.2. Some states hold state conventions.

3. Are very much like regular elections.3. Are very much like regular elections.

4. Election is among candidates within 4. Election is among candidates within the the

same party.same party.

5. Independents usually do not have a 5. Independents usually do not have a

primary.primary.

6. Usually requires a plurality of votes.6. Usually requires a plurality of votes.

7. Some states still require a majority.7. Some states still require a majority.

a. Runoff primary - if no candidate a. Runoff primary - if no candidate

receives a majority then the two receives a majority then the two

candidates who have won the highest candidates who have won the highest

number of votes run again.number of votes run again.

8. Two types of primaries:8. Two types of primaries:

a. Open - Can vote for any candidate.a. Open - Can vote for any candidate.

b. Closed - Only party members can b. Closed - Only party members can

vote. vote.

E. Nominations by ConventionsE. Nominations by Conventions

1. Some states allow their candidate for 1. Some states allow their candidate for

president to be chosen by delegates.president to be chosen by delegates.

F. Independent CandidatesF. Independent Candidates

1. Can be put on the ballot if enough 1. Can be put on the ballot if enough

people sign a petition.people sign a petition.

2. Grassroots - support from many 2. Grassroots - support from many

individuals at the local level rather individuals at the local level rather

from national parties and other large from national parties and other large

organizations.organizations.

3. Can also be a write-in candidate.3. Can also be a write-in candidate.

G. General ElectionsG. General Elections

1. Presidential elections take place the 1. Presidential elections take place the

first Tuesday after the first Monday in first Tuesday after the first Monday in

November every four years. (even November every four years. (even

numbered)numbered)

2. Congressional elections take place the 2. Congressional elections take place the

same day but are every two or six years.same day but are every two or six years.

a. Depends if your running for house or a. Depends if your running for house or

Senate.Senate.

3. Secret Ballot - voting on paper so a 3. Secret Ballot - voting on paper so a

person can not see how you voted.person can not see how you voted.

H. Voting TodayH. Voting Today

1. Most places use a voting machine. 1. Most places use a voting machine.

(Not Greenbush)(Not Greenbush)

2. Straight Ticket - voting for all 2. Straight Ticket - voting for all

candidates of one party.candidates of one party.

3. Split Ticket - voting for candidates of 3. Split Ticket - voting for candidates of

more than 1 party.more than 1 party.

4. Most states require employers to give 4. Most states require employers to give

employees time off to vote.employees time off to vote.

NOMINATING AND ELECTING OUR LEADERS

A. Convention DelegatesA. Convention Delegates

1. Are usually chosen in presidential 1. Are usually chosen in presidential

primaries.primaries.

2. Both parties use complicated formulas 2. Both parties use complicated formulas

in determining how many delegates in determining how many delegates

they will have at the primary.they will have at the primary.

B. National Nominating ConventionsB. National Nominating Conventions

1. Party Platform (list of statements on 1. Party Platform (list of statements on

certain issues) is adopted.certain issues) is adopted.

a. Plank - individual part of a a. Plank - individual part of a

platform.platform.

2. Delegates are seated by state.2. Delegates are seated by state.

3. First convention was held in 18313. First convention was held in 1831

4. Most conventions are held in areas of 4. Most conventions are held in areas of

central geographical location. central geographical location.

C. Presidential CandidatesC. Presidential Candidates

1. Most important item of business at a 1. Most important item of business at a

national convention is choosing the national convention is choosing the

party’s candidate for President.party’s candidate for President.

2. Majority of votes is needed from state 2. Majority of votes is needed from state

delegates.delegates.

a. Chairperson of each state delegation a. Chairperson of each state delegation

announces how the state is voting. announces how the state is voting.

(roll call)(roll call)

3. Usually the leading candidate receives 3. Usually the leading candidate receives

the majority of votes on the first call.the majority of votes on the first call.

4. Favorite Son or Daughter - when 4. Favorite Son or Daughter - when

delegates nominate a candidate who is delegates nominate a candidate who is

from their state and is popular. (Do it to from their state and is popular. (Do it to

just show their support.)just show their support.)

5. Delegates usually favor whomever the 5. Delegates usually favor whomever the

presidential candidate chooses as vice presidential candidate chooses as vice

president.president.

a. Balance the Ticket - Vice President is a. Balance the Ticket - Vice President is

chosen who will likely appeal to chosen who will likely appeal to

voters who otherwise might not vote voters who otherwise might not vote

for the presidential candidate.for the presidential candidate.

b. Sarah Palin was the last b. Sarah Palin was the last

woman to run for Vice-President.woman to run for Vice-President.

c. There has never been a women Vice- c. There has never been a women Vice-

President.President.

D. The Election CampaignD. The Election Campaign

1. Media is most widely used source of 1. Media is most widely used source of

campaigning.campaigning.

2. After conventions candidates may 2. After conventions candidates may

take a little break.take a little break.

3. Campaign moves into high gear after 3. Campaign moves into high gear after

labor day until the election.labor day until the election.

4. Campaign Managers - advise 4. Campaign Managers - advise

candidates which issues to speak out on candidates which issues to speak out on

as well as which issues to avoid.as well as which issues to avoid.

a. They take complete control of a a. They take complete control of a

candidates election campaign.candidates election campaign.

E. National DebatesE. National Debates

1. Many years ago, presidential 1. Many years ago, presidential

candidates did not take an active role candidates did not take an active role

in their campaign.in their campaign.

2. First debate was held between 2. First debate was held between

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A.

Douglas. (Senate)Douglas. (Senate)

a. Central idea was slavery into U.S. a. Central idea was slavery into U.S.

territories.territories.

b. Douglas believed the U.S. could be b. Douglas believed the U.S. could be

divided into free and slave states. divided into free and slave states.

c. Douglas won reelection.c. Douglas won reelection.

3. Lincoln gained nation wide exposure for 3. Lincoln gained nation wide exposure for

his views.his views.

4. First aired Presidential debate involved 4. First aired Presidential debate involved

Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.

a. Kennedy won a tight election.a. Kennedy won a tight election.

5. Debates usually involve the following:5. Debates usually involve the following:

a. Opening statementsa. Opening statements

b. Series of questions from reportersb. Series of questions from reporters

c. Closing statementsc. Closing statements

6. Candidates rarely can question each other 6. Candidates rarely can question each other

but can respond to criticism of the other but can respond to criticism of the other

candidate.candidate.

F. Election DayF. Election Day

1. Many party workers call people to see 1. Many party workers call people to see

how they vote.how they vote.

a. Registration Committee - helps get a. Registration Committee - helps get

voters registered so that they will be voters registered so that they will be

eligible to vote.eligible to vote.

b. Poll Committee - members who b. Poll Committee - members who

stay at polls, (voting places) to see stay at polls, (voting places) to see

who has voted. who has voted.

2. Because of time differences the first 2. Because of time differences the first

returns come from the east.returns come from the east.

a. Polls in the east are closed before a. Polls in the east are closed before

those in the west.those in the west.

IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DISCUSS IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DISCUSS WHAT PROBLEMS THIS MAY CAUSE WHAT PROBLEMS THIS MAY CAUSE (4 MIN)(4 MIN)

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

A. The Electoral CollegeA. The Electoral College

1. Popular Vote - Votes cast by the 1. Popular Vote - Votes cast by the

people.people.

a. Minority President - President who a. Minority President - President who

does not receive a majority of the does not receive a majority of the

popular vote.popular vote.

- George W. Bush was the most - George W. Bush was the most

recent. (2000)recent. (2000)

2. Citizen's casting a vote are voting for 2. Citizen's casting a vote are voting for

a special kind of representative who a special kind of representative who

promises to vote for that candidate. promises to vote for that candidate.

(elector)(elector)

a. Electoral College - Special a. Electoral College - Special

Representative from each state Representative from each state

who choose the President.who choose the President.

3. States with greater population have more 3. States with greater population have more

electors.electors.

4. States have the same number of electors as 4. States have the same number of electors as

they have members in Congress.they have members in Congress.

5. There are 538 total electoral votes.5. There are 538 total electoral votes.

6. Each elector gathers in their state capital 6. Each elector gathers in their state capital

on the first Monday after the second on the first Monday after the second

Wednesday in December to cast their Wednesday in December to cast their vote.vote.

7. If no candidate gets a majority of the7. If no candidate gets a majority of the

electoral votes the three candidates with electoral votes the three candidates with

the highest number are sent to the House the highest number are sent to the House

of Representatives who chooses the of Representatives who chooses the

President. President.

a. Each state has only one vote.a. Each state has only one vote.

b. Only in 1800 and 1824 has the House b. Only in 1800 and 1824 has the House

chosen the President.chosen the President.

c. Vice-President is chosen by the c. Vice-President is chosen by the

Senate.Senate.

B. History of the Electoral College B. History of the Electoral College

1. Originally electors voted for two 1. Originally electors voted for two

candidates. candidates.

a. Highest vote getter would be the a. Highest vote getter would be the

President.President.

b. Second highest vote getter would b. Second highest vote getter would

be the Vice-President.be the Vice-President.

c. 25th Amendment changed this by c. 25th Amendment changed this by

making it possible for each making it possible for each

political party to nominate one political party to nominate one

candidate for President and one candidate for President and one

for Vice Pres.for Vice Pres.

C. A Compromise PlanC. A Compromise Plan

1. Two reason for making the plan of 1. Two reason for making the plan of

electing the President complicated. electing the President complicated.

a. Gave states an important role in a. Gave states an important role in

choosing President.choosing President.

b. Compromise between large and b. Compromise between large and

small states.small states.

- electoral college would shorten - electoral college would shorten

the list.the list.

-states were given equal power in -states were given equal power in

househouse

2. Plan did not work as expected because 2. Plan did not work as expected because

a candidate usually does get a majority a candidate usually does get a majority

of votes.of votes.

D. Other Changes in the Presidential D. Other Changes in the Presidential

Election SystemElection System

1. Political parties nominate electors.1. Political parties nominate electors.

2. Most recent case of elector not voting 2. Most recent case of elector not voting

for candidate was when an elector for candidate was when an elector

pledged to Al Gore did not vote or pledged to Al Gore did not vote or

abstained.abstained.

3. States set rules for choosing electors.3. States set rules for choosing electors.

E. “Winner Take All” Method of ChoosingE. “Winner Take All” Method of Choosing

1. A Presidential candidate gets ALL 1. A Presidential candidate gets ALL

electoral votes if he/she receives a electoral votes if he/she receives a

majority of the popular vote.majority of the popular vote.

IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DISCUSS IF IN YOUR SMALL GROUPS DISCUSS IF YOU WOULD CHANGE THE YOU WOULD CHANGE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM. IF ELECTORAL COLLEGE SYSTEM. IF SO HOW? IF NOT, WHY?SO HOW? IF NOT, WHY?

2. 2000 Al Gore received a 2. 2000 Al Gore received a

majority of the popular vote but majority of the popular vote but

George W. Bush won the election George W. Bush won the election

with a majority of the electoral vote.with a majority of the electoral vote.

F. Other PlansF. Other Plans

1. Direct election by the people.1. Direct election by the people.

2. Abolish winner take all method.2. Abolish winner take all method.

a. Proportional Plan - Candidate gets a a. Proportional Plan - Candidate gets a

percentage of electoral votes based percentage of electoral votes based

on the percentage of popular votes on the percentage of popular votes

he/she gets.he/she gets.

G. Why Might States Oppose Abolishing the G. Why Might States Oppose Abolishing the

Electoral College?Electoral College?

1. They may have an even smaller 1. They may have an even smaller

percentage of popular vote. percentage of popular vote.

H. Other Arguments in Favor of the H. Other Arguments in Favor of the Electoral Electoral

College.College.

1. Proportional system could create more 1. Proportional system could create more

deadlocks and force elections into the deadlocks and force elections into the

House of Representatives.House of Representatives.

2. Discourages third parties2. Discourages third parties

a. Most third parties are too small to a. Most third parties are too small to

win a majority of the popular vote.win a majority of the popular vote.

POSSIBLE ASSIGNMENTSPOSSIBLE ASSIGNMENTS

1. Democratic convention video.1. Democratic convention video.

2. Electoral college map2. Electoral college map

3. Case Studies (pg. 53, 54)3. Case Studies (pg. 53, 54)

4. Enrichment (pg. 10)4. Enrichment (pg. 10)

5. Write a one page paper on 1 of the 5. Write a one page paper on 1 of the

political parties.political parties.

6. Develop a party platform6. Develop a party platform

7. Hold a mock-nominating convention7. Hold a mock-nominating convention

8. Media and the President Video8. Media and the President Video

9. Presidential T.V. Commercial9. Presidential T.V. Commercial

10. Presidential Debate10. Presidential Debate

8. Section Review (pg. 198, 203)8. Section Review (pg. 198, 203)

9. Building your portfolio (pg. 205)9. Building your portfolio (pg. 205)

10. American government wks. (pg. 26, 25, 10. American government wks. (pg. 26, 25,

27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 41)27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 41)

EXTRA CREDIT (5 pts.)EXTRA CREDIT (5 pts.)

1. Voc Workshop, Reviewing Main Ideas, 1. Voc Workshop, Reviewing Main Ideas,

Thinking CriticallyThinking Critically