Voting and Elections

Question	Answer
Invisible Primary	This is the stage which runs up to the first formal primary, effectively beginning as soon as the last election has ended. It is the period when party candidates position themselves to run for the presidency before the formal series of primaries and caucuses starts.
Invisible Primary; Media Coverage	Candidates look to achieve widespread name recognition, attempting to gather media airtime and coverage in the press. They will endeavour to present themselves as credible presidential candidates and cover any potential weaknesses on their CV. E.g. Mitt Romney establishing his "Free and Strong America PAC".
Invisible Primary; Endorsements	Candidates will look to gather support from key individuals within the party. E.g. In 2012 Romney had secured the support of 41 of the 153 unbound superdelegates by March 2012. Candidates will look to gather endorsements from influential groups outside the party who will provide grassroots support. E.g. 7 months before the Republican primary every major Republican candidate spoke at the Faith and Freedom Conference.
Invisible Primary; Finance	Building the 'war chest'. E.g. Buddy Roemer pulled out in Feb 2012 having raised only $340,000. Candidates will look to key pressure groups and PACs to provide funding. Some take federal matching funds.
Primaries and Caucuses	The nomination stage.
Primary Elections	Party supported in each state vote for delegates to go forward to the party convention, which meets to formally select the party's presidential candidate.
Open Primary	Any registered voter can participate in either the Republican of the Democratic primary, but not both, regardless of the voter's party affiliation.
Closed primary	Only voters who have declared an affiliation to a party can participate in that party's primary.
Caucus	These are a state-based series of meetings between key party members and supporters, in order to select a party's candidate for the presidency.
Regional Primaries	In 1999 the NASS proposed to divide the country up into four regions, each of which would hold primaries on the same day, with the sequence being rotated for which region went first. Critics claim this would not solve the cost.
National Primaries	All states hold a primary on the same day.
Changed Scheduling	The American Plan: Small states would begin the primary season, working towards larger states in ten steps, with states chosen at random. The Delaware Plan: 'backloading' primaries with states placed in four groups according to population size. The smallest states would go first and the largest last.
National Party Convention	The traditional role of the NPC is to formally select the presidential nominee through a vote of pledged delegates and un-pledged superdelegates.
Electoral College System	The final stage in securing the presidency, candidates attempt to win a majority of Electoral College votes. This system, designed by the Founding Fathers to indirectly elect the president as a safeguard against 'popular passion', has come under renewed criticism since Bush's victory in 2000 despite losing the popular vote.
Congressional District Method	This system, which is used in Maine and Nebraska, would allocate electors according to the vote in each congressional district. Thus in Nebraska in 2008 Obama gained one Electoral College vote, even though he lost the overall popular vote in the state.
Automatic Plan	Automatically allocate states votes, thus preventing the existence of faithless electors.
Proportional Plan	This would allocate Electoral College votes in each state proportionally, according to popular vote. Although this might advantage minor parties, it would make it harder for one candidate to achieve a majority.
Incumbency Advantage	Gerrymandering: redrawing political boundaries to gain a political advantage. Only 9 seats were in the balance in 2014. Finance: Incumbents enjoy a huge funding advantage. Pork Barrelling: They can point towards a proven track record.
2010 midterms	Referendum on Obama Gridlock Republican resurgence
Direct Democracy	Decisions are made directly by the people rather than by the federal government. Includes; recall elections, referendums, propositions and initiatives.
Advantages of Propositions	Controversial subjects can be voted on e.g. Prop 19. Increase participation and turnout. Increase accountability e.g. 2008 Florida ban on gay marriage. Engage the electorate e.g. 6 props defeated in California in 2010.
Disadvantages of Propositions	Inflexible and undermine representative democracy e.g. prop 13 in Cal. Manipulated by wealthy groups e.g. the successful Prop 8 campaign in Cal. Tyranny of the majority e.g. Prop 209 in Cal effect on African Americans.
Federal Election Campaign Act 1974	Key Points: Limited expenditure, provided matching funds, limited the amount individuals and corporations could donate. Effects: Buckley v Valeo 1976 struck down limits on candidate expenditure, saw the rise of Super PACs.
FECA Amendment 1979	Key Points: Allowed parties to raise and spend money. Effects: Rise of 'soft money'.
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 2002 (BCRA)	Key Points: Abolished 'soft money', increased individual contribution limit, restricted non-party advertisement that identify a federal candidate. Effect: Proliferation of 527's, Citizens United v FEC 2010 overturned advertising restrictions.
Reasons for Low Participation	The first-past-the-post system. The frequency and length of elections. Registration procedures. The electorates perceptions.

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	Created by sophie10.mcd almost 9 years ago