Electing the President

1. Electing the President

2. Article II, Sec. I established the Electoral College. • This provided that each state would select electors (same number as representation in Congress) • Meet in their own state and cast votes for two presidential candidates. (Electoral vote) • Electors are chosen by the political parties in their states (sometimes elected at the state convention, sometimes chosen by a committee or just appointed). • In FL, the governor nominates the presidential electors of each political party. The governor may only nominate those electors recommended by the state executive committee of each respective party. The Original System

3. Electoral votes from all states are counted in a joint session of Congress. • The candidate with the most electoral votes wins the presidency. • In case of a tie, or if no one received majority the HR would choose the president or VP. (ex. Thomas Jefferson v. Aaron Burr) • 12th Amendment (1804) – requires that electors cast separate ballots for president and vice-president. • Also, if not candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, the HR chooses from the candidates w/ the largest electoral vote. IF not, VP get the vote, then Senate select one. How are votes counted?

4. Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every 4 years, voter cast their votes. • However, while the candidate’s names are printed on the ballot, the voters are not voting directly for them. • They are voting for their party’s elector in their states. • In December, these electors will cast the official vote for president and VP. • Meanwhile, this person becomes known as President-Elect until Inauguration Day. Electoral College System Today:Electoral Vote v. Popular Vote

5. Electoral College includes: 538 electors: House (435)/Senate (100) + 3 from District of Columbia. • To be elected President/VP= must win 270 votes

6. Winner Take All System: the party whose candidate receives the largest popular vote in any state wins all the electoral of that state. • The winning candidate is usually announces the same night as the popular vote election. (Tuesday after first Monday in November). • The formal election by the Electoral College begins on the Monday following the second Wednesday in December when electors meet in each state to cast their votes. • This is sealed and mailed to the President of the Senate for a formal count. • On January 6th, both houses meet in the HR to open and count the ballots…. Congress Official declares a winner president. • Electors usually vote for the candidate who wins the popular vote. • Inauguration takes place on January, 20th.

8. Winner Take All- in all but 2 states (Maine/Nebraska), if a candidate wins the largest # of popular votes, that person receives all the state’s electoral votes. • 3rd Party Candidates: Could win enough electoral votes to prevent either major-party candidates from receiving a majority of votes. • Election by the House: When the HR must decide a presidential election, each state must vote. The person that receives 26 wins Major Electoral College Issues

9. Presidential Inauguration

10. 2000 Presidential Elections : Al Gore v. George Bush

11. 1. Caucus: Is a way a political party nominates candidates. The leaders of the party call a private meeting to determine whom they desire as candidates. According to the law, only the regularly elected party officers may call such a meeting, and it must be held at a convenient place and time. The names of persons chosen as candidates are placed on the ballot. 19 states use it today. - Criticized as undemocratic, although are more open now… Nominating Candidates

12. 2. Primary Election: - Direct Primary- an election in which party members select people to run in the general election. -Closed primary- members of a political party can vote (only register voters). - Open Primary- all voters may participate. (democrats, republicans, independents…) - Each state set the date and time for this election, candidates with the plurality, or more votes than any other candidates wins. - States in which no candidates receive the plurality a runoff primary is held. Is a second election between two candidates who received the most votes in the primary. 3. General Elections- voters decide which candiate will fullfill the role as President (November) Petition-a person announces his or her candidacy and files petitions that a specified # of voters have signed in order to be placed on the ballot.

13. Each major party gathers together every 4 yrs in July or August in a national convention. • The task is to select a ticket- candidates for president and vice president. Presidential Nomination

14. From February to June, the candidates cross the country competing for delegates support. • The Convention takes place during the summer. • Two conventions: Republican Nat’l Convention and Democrats Nat’l Convention. • Each party must have a platform, however, different candidates have their own platform called planks, which divides the candidates. • The VP nomination, formally takes place the last day of the convention. • This person will serve as VP and as running mate. • This person balance the ticket meaning that he or she has a personal, political, and geographical background different from the presidential nominee…… what is the purpose of this??? The National Convention

15. …. Is designed to make the ticket appeal to as many voters as possible.

16. GOP PARTY, MINNESOTA DEMOCRATIC, COLORADO

18. Congressional Elections Incumbency Advantage: • Staff Support • Visibility • Scare-off effect- EX. Obama’s Foreign Policy v. Romney Why they Lose? - Redistricting • Scandals • Presidential coattails- EX. 2000 Election- people tend to lean towards Democrats. Therefore, • Midterm Elections – Elections in Congress impact Presidents popularity. EX. President Obama was elected in 2008- Congress 112th elections in 2010.

19. How people vote? • Party Identification • Ideology • Income and Education • Race and Ethnicity • Gender • Religions • Issues: Retrospective judgment ( based on party last performances) Prospective judgment (based on candidates pledges to do about an issue) Factors influencing voters choice….

20. Income and Education • Race and Ethnicity • Gender • Age • Civic Engagement- people who attend church and are involved in the community are most likely those who vote. • Interest in Politics- How many Americans really know and follow politics??? Voter turnout

21. Other commitments- People are BUSY. • Difficulty in Registration • Difficulty in Absentee Voting • Number of Elections • Voter Attitudes • Weakened Influence of Political Party Why don’t Americans Turn out?

22. Make election day a holiday • Enable Early Voting • Permit mail and online voting • Make registration easier • Modernize the ballot • Strenghten Parties How can we Improve turnout?