ElectionsElections

All you ever wanted to know and All you ever wanted to know and more!more!

Benefits of electionsBenefits of elections

1.1. Give the government Give the government legitimacylegitimacy

2.2. Actually fill public Actually fill public officeoffice

3.3. Help organize the Help organize the governmentgovernment

4.4. Keep the government Keep the government accountableaccountable

Realities of electionsRealities of elections

1.1. Elections don’t always put in Elections don’t always put in the best candidate as voters the best candidate as voters sometimes vote sometimes vote againstagainst someone rather than someone rather than forfor someone.someone.

2.2. Voters must be willing to Voters must be willing to spend time seeking out spend time seeking out information and learning information and learning about issues to make the about issues to make the best choices.best choices.

3.3. When parties and presidents When parties and presidents satisfy the public, they are satisfy the public, they are rewarded. When they don’t, rewarded. When they don’t, they’re “punished” (even if they’re “punished” (even if they’re not to blame).they’re not to blame).

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WARNING!!

RAPID TOPIC SHIFT AHEAD!

The Electoral CollegeThe Electoral College Definition – representatives Definition – representatives

from each sate who cast the from each sate who cast the ballots which actually elect the ballots which actually elect the presidentpresident

A result of a compromise A result of a compromise between the Framers – one between the Framers – one side wanted Congress to pick side wanted Congress to pick the president, the other wanted the president, the other wanted the people to do it.the people to do it.

At first, this had practical At first, this had practical applications as no mass media applications as no mass media existed to inform the voting existed to inform the voting masses of the candidates and masses of the candidates and issues.issues.

The electors, however, would The electors, however, would be educated men familiar with be educated men familiar with politics and its workings.politics and its workings.

Electoral College (cont.)Electoral College (cont.) The original design was to:The original design was to:

a.a. work without partieswork without partiesb.b. cover the nomination and cover the nomination and

election of presidentselection of presidentsc.c. produce a nonpartisan produce a nonpartisan

presidentpresident Of course, this didn’t work.Of course, this didn’t work.

(Note: For a refresher on the (Note: For a refresher on the electoral college, see the electoral college, see the “Evolution of the Presidency” “Evolution of the Presidency” textbook excerpt from earlier in textbook excerpt from earlier in the year.)the year.)

Voter BehaviorVoter Behavior

Turnout – the segment of the voting-age public that Turnout – the segment of the voting-age public that actually votes.actually votes.

Around 40% of eligible voters in the U.S. vote regularly.Around 40% of eligible voters in the U.S. vote regularly.

Around 25% vote occasionally.Around 25% vote occasionally.

Around 35% rarely or never vote.Around 35% rarely or never vote.

Who votes?Who votes?

More LikelyMore Likely

Incomes over $40,000Incomes over $40,000

30 and older30 and older

WhitesWhites

College graduatesCollege graduates

Interested in politicsInterested in politics

Less LikelyLess Likely

Incomes under $40,000Incomes under $40,000

29 and under & 70+29 and under & 70+

African-AmericansAfrican-Americans

Below a college degreeBelow a college degree

Not interested in politicsNot interested in politics

Let’s find out!Let’s check your answers!

Why is turnout so low?Why is turnout so low?1.1. Difficult registration processDifficult registration process

• Individual is responsible for registering; the Individual is responsible for registering; the government does not automatically register its government does not automatically register its citizens citizens

2.2. Hard to vote absenteeHard to vote absentee• Many states require you apply in person to vote Many states require you apply in person to vote

absenteeabsentee3.3. Number of electionsNumber of elections

• So many elections, people claim they lose their So many elections, people claim they lose their importance. Or, they forget which ones are the importance. Or, they forget which ones are the most important.most important.

4.4. Voter attitudeVoter attitude• Alienated by the governmentAlienated by the government• ApatheticApathetic• Lack of important issuesLack of important issues• Satisfied with how things areSatisfied with how things are• Uncontested elections (not close)Uncontested elections (not close)• Petty campaign issuesPetty campaign issues• Mudslinging campaign adsMudslinging campaign ads• General distrust of the governmentGeneral distrust of the government

5.5. Weak partiesWeak parties• We’ve gone from grassroots parties to ones which We’ve gone from grassroots parties to ones which

are run at the national level – little connection to are run at the national level – little connection to the voterthe voter

CAN WE BE SAVED?!?!CAN WE BE SAVED?!?!

That’s up to you . . .