Electoral CollegeElectoral College

VideoVideo

►Electing the President in Plain English►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok_

VQ8I7g6I►Khan AcademyKhan Academy►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTb

vYGH_Hiw►Electoral College VideoElectoral College Video►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ijz

d3HBhfY&feature=related

Electoral College VideosElectoral College Videos►U.S Elections: How the Electoral College Syst

em works►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qPDFZG

XSew►Swing States in US electionsSwing States in US elections►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFmIbrP

WJ1g►Civics in a Minute VideoCivics in a Minute Video►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3LCZW

Dr8Fo►CNN Explains: Electoral CollegeCNN Explains: Electoral College►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDwIFBq

c7KM

History of Electoral CollegeHistory of Electoral College► In 1787, Founding Fathers wanted elite men in In 1787, Founding Fathers wanted elite men in

society to run the country.society to run the country.►Were afraid that Congress would be bribed or Were afraid that Congress would be bribed or

influenced by candidates, and did not trust influenced by candidates, and did not trust them, that is why Constitution puts strict limits them, that is why Constitution puts strict limits on Congress.on Congress.

►Were afraid that direct popular vote by Were afraid that direct popular vote by ignorant, uneducated, uninformed masses ignorant, uneducated, uninformed masses could lead to people voting in the wrong person could lead to people voting in the wrong person or could elect a dictator. Also filter passion and or could elect a dictator. Also filter passion and prejudices of the massesprejudices of the masses

History cont.History cont.

►The Fathers compromised to create the The Fathers compromised to create the Electoral College, which also helped the Electoral College, which also helped the smaller states in allowing them to have smaller states in allowing them to have say in a national election (Federalism).say in a national election (Federalism).

►Also, there was only 13 states and around Also, there was only 13 states and around 4 million people, so it was difficult to count 4 million people, so it was difficult to count all the votes and get information and all the votes and get information and communication so an electoral college was communication so an electoral college was not a bad alternative for that time. not a bad alternative for that time.

What is the Electoral What is the Electoral CollegeCollege

► System that elects our System that elects our President and Vice-President and Vice-President President

► President is not elected President is not elected by direct popular vote. (4 by direct popular vote. (4 people have won popular people have won popular vote but not presidency)vote but not presidency)

► Electors are granted Electors are granted from each state based on from each state based on the number of House of the number of House of Representative members Representative members plus Senatorsplus Senators

Electoral College Cont.Electoral College Cont.

► D.C. also gets 3 votes D.C. also gets 3 votes (22(22ndnd amendment) amendment)

► Votes are added up on Votes are added up on election day and the election day and the candidate receiving the candidate receiving the most popular votes most popular votes (does not have to be (does not have to be majority) wins all the majority) wins all the electors from that state. electors from that state. Winner-take-all system Winner-take-all system (Except for Maine and (Except for Maine and Nebraska)Nebraska)

Electoral VotesElectoral Votes►Candidate that wins the Presidency must win Candidate that wins the Presidency must win

a majority 270 out of 538 possible votes.a majority 270 out of 538 possible votes.► If not a majority, election determined by If not a majority, election determined by

majority vote in the House, with one vote per majority vote in the House, with one vote per state. Vice-President is elected in senate with state. Vice-President is elected in senate with each senator getting one vote.each senator getting one vote.

►A candidate could win the 11 most populous A candidate could win the 11 most populous states, lose the other 39, and still win enough states, lose the other 39, and still win enough electoral votes to win the Presidencyelectoral votes to win the Presidency

States and Electoral CollegeStates and Electoral College►State legislatures select their own electors, State legislatures select their own electors,

based on their own rules, helping to based on their own rules, helping to guarantee them a role in the national election.guarantee them a role in the national election.

►Some states will most always vote a certain Some states will most always vote a certain way: California, New York, Texasway: California, New York, Texas

►However, some states are swing/battleground However, some states are swing/battleground states which mean that they are up for grab states which mean that they are up for grab and any candidate could win. Most and any candidate could win. Most candidates will spend a majority of their time candidates will spend a majority of their time in these states trying to win their votes.in these states trying to win their votes.

ElectorsElectors

►Delegates have no other lawmaking Delegates have no other lawmaking powers, so they could not be bribed or powers, so they could not be bribed or influencedinfluenced

►Electors meet on the First Monday Electors meet on the First Monday after the second Wednesday in after the second Wednesday in December to vote. They vote at their December to vote. They vote at their state capitals. Votes are then counted state capitals. Votes are then counted before a joint session of congress on before a joint session of congress on January 6January 6thth..

Alexander HamiltonAlexander HamiltonFederalist paper #68Federalist paper #68

►They have not They have not made the made the appointment of the appointment of the President to depend President to depend on any preexisting on any preexisting bodies of men who bodies of men who might be tampered might be tampered with beforehand to with beforehand to prostitute their prostitute their votes.votes.””

Arguments for/againstArguments for/against Electoral College Electoral College

Arguments ForArguments For1.1. Electoral College Electoral College

contributes to political contributes to political stability in the United stability in the United States by encouraging States by encouraging only a two-party systemonly a two-party system

2.2. Increases the Power of Increases the Power of the Statesthe States

3.3. Allows a buffer from Allows a buffer from government agency government agency choosing and from mass choosing and from mass of public votingof public voting

4.4. Popular vote may lead to Popular vote may lead to recounts or runoff’srecounts or runoff’s

Arguments againstArguments against1.1. Hinders the numbers of parties Hinders the numbers of parties

that are able to compete in that are able to compete in electionselections

2.2. Take states for granted when Take states for granted when states consistently voter for one states consistently voter for one partyparty

3.3. Winner-take-all nature of state Winner-take-all nature of state elections renders some votes elections renders some votes essentially meaninglessessentially meaningless

4.4. Depresses voter turnout Depresses voter turnout because voter turnout is because voter turnout is irrelevant to the number of irrelevant to the number of electoral votes.electoral votes.

5.5. Rogue Electors are always Rogue Electors are always possible.possible.

Changing the Electoral Changing the Electoral CollegeCollege

1.1. Proportional Proportional Representation/ParliamentaRepresentation/Parliamentary Systemry System- When the - When the people vote for legislatures, people vote for legislatures, and the party who wins the and the party who wins the most seats in the most seats in the legislature get to install a legislature get to install a President (Prime Minister). President (Prime Minister). Encourages 3Encourages 3rdrd parties but parties but not direct popular vote. not direct popular vote. Prime Minister President Prime Minister President may be removed at may be removed at anytime by Legislature anytime by Legislature without consent of without consent of constituents.constituents.

1.1. Direct Popular Direct Popular Vote/Majority Vote-Vote/Majority Vote- More candidates will More candidates will run, making it harder run, making it harder to win a majority. This to win a majority. This would mean runoff would mean runoff elections, more time, elections, more time, confusion, money, and confusion, money, and wheeling and dealing wheeling and dealing from candidates who from candidates who won for endorsements won for endorsements of the candidates who of the candidates who lostlost

Unit 5, Chapter 17Unit 5, Chapter 17Elections and VotingElections and Voting

Section 1: Election CampaignSection 1: Election Campaign

Mr. YoungMr. Young

American GovernmentAmerican Government

Essential QuestionEssential Question

►What are the basis elements of a What are the basis elements of a presidential campaign?presidential campaign?

►Why and what were the purposes of Why and what were the purposes of the Federal Election Campaign Acts the Federal Election Campaign Acts being passed?being passed?

I CAN:I CAN:

1.1. Explain the Electoral College SystemExplain the Electoral College System

2.2. Analyze the importance of campaign Analyze the importance of campaign managers and candidates imagesmanagers and candidates images

3.3. Evaluate how candidates finance their Evaluate how candidates finance their campaigns and how they can affect campaigns and how they can affect the outcomes of elections the outcomes of elections

US Elections: How do they US Elections: How do they workwork

►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRu_JcarCDY

►Youtube Video (4:26 min)Youtube Video (4:26 min)

Voting and You VideoVoting and You Video

►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KBo7vzrHGY

►Stop at 2:12Stop at 2:12

Electing the PresidentElecting the President

► Most election laws Most election laws are passed at the are passed at the statestate level and level and happen at polling happen at polling placesplaces

► President is elected President is elected every every TuesdayTuesday after after the first the first MondayMonday, , every every 4 4 years in years in even numbered even numbered years in years in NovemberNovember

Why Elections on Tuesday?Why Elections on Tuesday?

►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alHNt_p1D1w

►Civics in a MinuteCivics in a Minute

Electoral Votes and the Electoral Votes and the StateState

► To be elected President, a To be elected President, a candidate must win candidate must win 270270 of the of the 538538 available electoral votes available electoral votes

► Electoral College votes= Electoral College votes= number of number of RepresentativesRepresentatives plus the number of plus the number of SenatorsSenators

► Candidate who usually wins Candidate who usually wins the greatest number of the greatest number of popularpopular votes usually wins the votes usually wins the presidencypresidency

► Emphasizes larger states, win Emphasizes larger states, win 1111 largest states and that largest states and that person gets the necessary person gets the necessary 270270 votesvotes

Win Popular vote, not Win Popular vote, not PresidencyPresidency

► In prior elections, four U.S candidate for In prior elections, four U.S candidate for President won the popular vote but lost the President won the popular vote but lost the presidency: Andrew Jackson won the popular presidency: Andrew Jackson won the popular vote but lost the election to John Quincy vote but lost the election to John Quincy Adams in 1824; Samuel J. Tilden won the Adams in 1824; Samuel J. Tilden won the popular vote but lost the election to popular vote but lost the election to Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876; Grover Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876; Grover Cleveland won the popular vote but lost the Cleveland won the popular vote but lost the election to Benjamin Harrison in 1888, and Al election to Benjamin Harrison in 1888, and Al Gore won the popular vote but lost the Gore won the popular vote but lost the election to George W. Bush in 2000 election to George W. Bush in 2000

Top 5 Biggest Electoral Top 5 Biggest Electoral StatesStates

1.1. California- 55California- 55 (last 6 elections voted (last 6 elections voted Dem)Dem)

2.2. Texas- 38 Texas- 38 gained 4(voted Rep 10/11 gained 4(voted Rep 10/11 elections)elections)

3.3. New York- 29New York- 29 loses 2 (voted dem in last loses 2 (voted dem in last 7 elections)7 elections)

4.4. Florida- 29Florida- 29 gain 2 (Voted Rep in gain 2 (Voted Rep in ’’72, 80-72, 80-92, 92, ’’00-04; Dem in 00-04; Dem in ’’76, 76, ’’96, 96, ’’08, ‘12)08, ‘12)

5.5. Pennsylvania- 21Pennsylvania- 21 loses 1 (Voted Dem last loses 1 (Voted Dem last 6 elections)6 elections)

Kentucky and Electoral Kentucky and Electoral CollegeCollege

► Kentucky has Kentucky has 88 electoral electoral votesvotes

► Since the 1950s, Since the 1950s, Kentucky has been Kentucky has been reliably Republican, reliably Republican, although its voters have although its voters have been willing to vote been willing to vote Democratic when a Democratic when a southern governor has southern governor has run – the state voted for run – the state voted for Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Jimmy Carter in 1976 and for Bill Clinton in both for Bill Clinton in both 1992 and 1996. In 2008, 1992 and 1996. In 2008, John McCain defeated John McCain defeated Barack Obama 57% to Barack Obama 57% to 41%, Romney defeats 41%, Romney defeats Obama 60% to 38%.Obama 60% to 38%.

Campaign StrategyCampaign Strategy

► Candidates must Candidates must appeal to a appeal to a broadbroad variety of voters to win variety of voters to win as many as many statesstates as as possiblepossible

► Campaign managersCampaign managers, , who is responsible for who is responsible for overall strategy and overall strategy and planning, usually planning, usually leadlead the presidential the presidential campaign during campaign during electionselections

TelevisionTelevision

► TVTV is the most is the most important important communicationcommunication tool for tool for a presidential a presidential candidate, and also the candidate, and also the mostmost costly item costly item

► Use TV to build up Use TV to build up candidates candidates imageimage, , metal picture to metal picture to audience, and audience, and packagepackage them to the votersthem to the voters

Internet and CampaignInternet and Campaign

► Internet is a good Internet is a good tool for tool for findingfinding information on a information on a candidatecandidate

► Almost every Almost every candidate has a candidate has a websitewebsite, where you , where you can find how they can find how they stand on stand on issuesissues, and , and where you can also where you can also contributecontribute

Money and the ElectionMoney and the Election► First two Presidents to First two Presidents to

really start the spedning really start the spedning spree was spree was RichardRichard Nixon Nixon and and GeorgeGeorge McGovern McGovern raised raised $91$91 million dollars million dollars on the general presidential on the general presidential election, more than triple election, more than triple what had previously been what had previously been spentspent

► 2004, presidential and 2004, presidential and congressional candidates congressional candidates spent total of spent total of $3.9 billion$3.9 billion

► 2008, Presidential 2008, Presidential candidates spent $ 6 billioncandidates spent $ 6 billion

Congressional Money Congressional Money SpendingSpending

► Jon Jon CorzineCorzine spent spent $65$65 million of his million of his own money on a own money on a New Jersey Senate New Jersey Senate seatseat

Congressional SpendingCongressional Spending

► Average Average SenateSenate seat is seat is $7.2$7.2 million dollars million dollars► Average Average HouseHouse seat is more than seat is more than $1$1 million million

dollars.dollars.► Estimated that between Estimated that between ½½ to to 2/32/3 of of

Senators are millionaires (68 in 2008)Senators are millionaires (68 in 2008)► In 2008 average net worth of US Senators In 2008 average net worth of US Senators

was almost was almost $14$14 million million► In 2008 average net worth of In 2008 average net worth of

Representatives was Representatives was $4.6$4.6 million dollars million dollars (240 in 2008)(240 in 2008)

►Next is Top 25 Wealthiest Senators and Next is Top 25 Wealthiest Senators and Representatives in 2008Representatives in 2008

Money Raised for 2012 Money Raised for 2012 ElectionElection

Barack Obama$99,597,681 Mr. Obama expanded his fundraising lead, ending September with more cash on hand than the entire Republican field.Mitt Romney$32,605,8271st of 9 Republican Candidates* as of September 30, 2011Mr. Romney has spent nearly twice as much as money as any other Republican challenger.

Regulating Campaign Regulating Campaign FinancingFinancing

►Federal Election Campaign ActFederal Election Campaign Act (FECA) (FECA) of 1971- require of 1971- require publicpublic disclosure of disclosure of each candidateeach candidate’’s spending, provide s spending, provide federalfederal funding for presidential funding for presidential elections, elections, prohibitprohibit labor unions and labor unions and business organizations from making business organizations from making directdirect contributions, and contributions, and limitlimit how how much each individual and groups can much each individual and groups can contributecontribute

Federal Election CommissionFederal Election Commission► Created the Created the Federal Federal

Election CommissionElection Commission (FEC)- independent (FEC)- independent agency in agency in executiveexecutive branch to administer branch to administer federal election federal election lawslaws

► Has limited Has limited individualindividual contributions to contributions to candidates, but candidates, but unconstitutional to limit unconstitutional to limit overalloverall total cost of total cost of campaigncampaign

Public FundingPublic Funding

►Presidential Election Campaign FundPresidential Election Campaign Fund- - primary campaigns and general elections primary campaigns and general elections but must but must agreeagree to limit their to limit their totaltotal campaign spending and private donations campaign spending and private donations

► ’’76-76-’’04, all major parties accepted this, 04, all major parties accepted this, except GWB in except GWB in ’’00, it was 00, it was $81.4$81.4 million in million in ‘‘0808

►33rdrd parties may parties may receivereceive funding if they got funding if they got 5%5% of pop vote in former election of pop vote in former election

Private FundingPrivate Funding

►Bulk of campaign funding comes from the Bulk of campaign funding comes from the privateprivate sector sector

►Limits Limits directdirect contribution for individual at contribution for individual at $2,500$2,500, may contribute , may contribute $5,000$5,000 to PAC to PAC

►Political Action CommitteesPolitical Action Committees (PAC)- an (PAC)- an organization formed by interest groups to organization formed by interest groups to collect collect moneymoney and provide and provide financialfinancial support for support for political candidates; direct contribution is political candidates; direct contribution is $5,000$5,000 to the candidate and to the candidate and $15,000$15,000 to the to the national partynational party

►PAC’s contribute more than PAC’s contribute more than 55 times as much times as much money to incumbents as to their challengersmoney to incumbents as to their challengers

Money and PoliticsMoney and Politics

►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d-bYU2cZ48

►3:14 minutes3:14 minutes

2008 Election and PAC2008 Election and PAC’’ss► In the 2008 elections, the top 9 PACs by money spent by In the 2008 elections, the top 9 PACs by money spent by

themselves, their affiliates and subsidiaries were as follows:themselves, their affiliates and subsidiaries were as follows:1. IBEW PAC $3,344,650 $3,344,650 2.2. AT&T Federal PAC $3,108,200 AT&T Federal PAC $3,108,200 3.3. American Bankers Association (BANK PAC) $2,918,140 American Bankers Association (BANK PAC) $2,918,140 4.4. National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC $2,869,000 National Beer Wholesalers Association PAC $2,869,000 5.5. Dealers Election Action Committee of the National Automobile Dealers Election Action Committee of the National Automobile

Dealers Association $2,860,000 Dealers Association $2,860,000 6.6. International Association of Fire Fighters $2,734,900 International Association of Fire Fighters $2,734,900 7.7. International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Political International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Political

Education Committee $2,704,067 Education Committee $2,704,067 8.8. American Association for Justice PAC $2,700,500 American Association for Justice PAC $2,700,500 9.9. Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) PAC Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) PAC

$2,555,350 $2,555,350

Private Funding cont.Private Funding cont.

► Issue advocacy Issue advocacy advertisingadvertising- urges - urges voters to voters to supportsupport a a particular issue, such particular issue, such as gun control or as gun control or health carehealth care

► Will often contain Will often contain candidatecandidate’’s s namename or or imageimage, but will not , but will not say say votevote for or for or against a candidateagainst a candidate

Issue Advocacy AdsIssue Advocacy Ads

►http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qulpucVacM8v=qulpucVacM8

►Stephen Colbert Stephen Colbert ►http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=K90Zpjvdlkov=K90Zpjvdlko►Congressional Issue AdCongressional Issue Ad

McCain-Feingold BillMcCain-Feingold Bill► Bipartisan Campaign Bipartisan Campaign

Reform ActReform Act (BCRA)- (BCRA)- targeted the use targeted the use issue issue advocacy adsadvocacy ads and and soft-soft-moneymoney donations to donations to national political partiesnational political parties

► Soft moneySoft money- donations - donations given directly to political given directly to political parties by PAC or parties by PAC or individuals for individuals for generalgeneral purposes, such as purposes, such as votervoter registration drives, party registration drives, party mailingsmailings, and political , and political advertisementsadvertisements

BCRA cont.BCRA cont.

► Banned all Banned all soft-moneysoft-money donations to political donations to political parties, but raised parties, but raised individualindividual contributions contributions

► Prohibited Prohibited unionsunions, , corporationscorporations, and , and nonprofitnonprofit groups from groups from running ads aimed at running ads aimed at candidates within candidates within 3030 days of primary days of primary election and election and 6060 days of days of generalgeneral

Citizens United vs. Federal Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commision (2010)Election Commision (2010)

► Overturned BCRA by Overturned BCRA by saying that it was a saying that it was a violation of Freedom of violation of Freedom of speechspeech for placing limits for placing limits on independent spending on independent spending for political purposes by for political purposes by corporationscorporations and and unionsunions..

► Also Also allowedallowed corporations to show ads corporations to show ads mentioning a candidate mentioning a candidate within 60 days of general within 60 days of general and 30 days of primary. and 30 days of primary.

Citizens United VideosCitizens United Videos

►Citizens United VideoCitizens United Video►http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=pMvG54GjtRIv=pMvG54GjtRI

►http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmQ37zm7-uUv=DmQ37zm7-uU

►Civics in a Minute: Super PACSCivics in a Minute: Super PACS

Campaign Law and InternetCampaign Law and Internet

►Web site operators Web site operators must must identifyidentify themselves online, themselves online, even if they are acting even if they are acting as as individualindividual citizens citizens

►Web sites operating Web sites operating independently of independently of official campaigns official campaigns must must registerregister with FEC with FEC if they spend if they spend $250$250 or or more on the sitemore on the site