Local, State, Federal Elections
These elections determine mayor, city council, and school board members.
Local (municipal) elections
Compare a primary election and a caucus in terms of voter participation.
Primaries use private ballots; caucuses require public, in-person group discussion and voting.
Why is fundraising essential in modern political campaigns?
It funds advertising, staffing, travel, and outreach needed to compete.
What do special interest groups do?
Try to influence government decisions.
What is public policy?
Government actions or laws on issues.
A policy is passed affecting all public schools in Wisconsin. Identify the level of government and explain.
State government, because it applies statewide and is passed by the state legislature.
Why might caucuses lead to lower voter turnout than primaries?
They are time-consuming, public, and require physical attendance.
What is a PAC?
A group that raises and donates money to candidates within limits.
What is lobbying?
Trying to influence lawmakers on issues.
Give 3 examples of public policy areas.
Education, taxes, healthcare, criminal justice.
Explain how federal policies can indirectly affect your daily life even if they don’t target you specifically.
They shape funding, national laws, and regulations (education funding, taxes, healthcare)
Explain why the general election is considered the “deciding” election.
It determines who actually holds the office between party nominees.
Difference between a PAC and a Super PAC?
PACs can donate directly; Super PACs cannot.
What is an illegal form of lobbying?
Bribery or offering money for decisions.
What is lobbying’s role in public policy?
It influences how laws are made or changed.
Who represents you in the U.S. Senate, and what is their role in federal policymaking?
Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin; they create, debate, and vote on federal laws.
One reason primaries and caucuses matter.
They decide who represents each political party in the general election.
Why are Super PACs powerful in elections?
They can raise unlimited money for political ads.
What is model legislation?
Prewritten laws groups give to lawmakers.
Give an example of how education policy could directly affect DPHS students.
Funding levels, graduation requirements, standardized testing rules.
How can gerrymandering influence election outcomes even if voters don’t change their preferences?
It reshapes district boundaries to concentrate or dilute voting power, affecting representation.
Why might a candidate perform better in primaries than in caucuses?
Primaries have higher turnout and broader voter participation, while caucuses involve fewer, more committed voters.
Why do Super PACs raise concerns?
They increase the influence of wealthy donors.
Provide 3 examples of lobby groups.
National Rifle Association
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
American Civil Liberties Union
What is a key factor in creating effective public policy?
Considers the viewpoints of all stakeholders.