Campaigns and Elections
How can political ads impact an election and its candidates? Explain.
They can influence a voter to vote for a candidate they otherwise wouldn't.
They can make the candidates seem terrible (both candidates attacking each other).
What is the easiest way for citizens to influence the government? Be specific when explaining your answer.
Be informed and vote for who you think is the best candidate.
VOCAB
Limited Monarchy (Constitutional Monarchy)
Representative Democracy
Socialism
Dictatorship
Oligarchy
Communism
Autocracy
Direct Democracy
Absolute Monarchy
- C.M. = Monarch limited by people + laws
- R.D. = People vote for people lead
- S. = People own their stuff but share with community.
- D. = One leader by military force.
- O. = Collection of (usually wealthy) people lead.
- C. = Gov. controls + owns everything
- A. = One leader, through elections
- D.D. = Everyone votes on everything
- A.M. = One leader, supported by people, bloodline.
How many Republicans are in the Senate and the House?
How many Democrats are in the Senate and the House?
Senate (Add up to 100):
- Rep = 53
- Dem = 47
H.O.R:
- Rep = 218
- Dem = 214
Who are the representatives of Sanford, NC?
Rebecca Salmon = Sanford Mayor
Susan Patterson = City Attorney
Bonnie Bryant = City Clerk
Phillip Hegwer = City Manager
Three types of campaign propaganda with an example of each.
Print (Magazine, Mail, Signs)
Video (Commercials, YouTube Ads, TikTok)
Radio (Commercials, Spotify Ads)
Questions that voters typically consider:
1. Does the candidate share my views?
2. Is the candidate reliable?
3. Is the candidate experienced?
4. Will the candidate be effective?
5. Does the candidate have a chance to win?
What stands out to you about the education level of the people living in Lee County? Why do you think that is?
College education = lower than N.C.
Prob. because not enough high education level jobs. Actually educated people move away or never come in the first place.
How can the midterm elections impact the federal government? Provide an example for support
Midterms can affect the federal government by making things difficult for the opposite party and easier for same party.
If both houses one president's side...
- One house flip = harder for Congress to do things
- Two house flip = harder for President to do things
How do you think a party's viewpoints can affect a campaign?
It can determine which portion of the U.S. votes for them.
It can determine the election results, even if the candidate isn't great (people vote for party not person).
How can understanding a state's political geography influence future elections?
Rural = Republican
Urban = Democrat
+ Gerrymandering
Take a look at the percentage of people living in poverty. How does this compare to the rest of NC? Do you think the level of education has a part to play here?
Poverty = higher than N.C.
As education goes down, poverty goes up.
Vice versa.
What is the benefit of congressional elections every 2 years? How does this impact a presidency?
If someone is bad, they can be quickly replaced.
This can make a presidency bad to good, neutral, or good to bad, for passing laws...
...depending on how the houses were before and after the elections.
What are the goals the mayor of Sanford has for the city?
Vibrant downtown
Build local economy
Affordable housing
Public Safety
Infrastructure to support growth
If someone is running as a candidate for one of the parties, how much should their personal values line up with their party's values?
That candidate should have identical values.
This is so the people that vote for that party support that candidate, and so that party can give the candidate funding.
Should we keep the Electoral College? Why or why not? What are the benefits and problems?
(Personal opinion for keep / no keep).
For keep: It allows qualified people to choose the president. It keeps the average, uninformed citizen from making a costly decision. It has worked for the past 2 centuries.
For no keep: It allows gerrymandering. It does not represent the people. It encourages a lack of political knowledge.
Can you observe any differences between Lee County and North Carolina in terms of median household income and poverty rate?
Lee County salary = lower than N.C.
Lee County poverty = higher than N.C.
They affect each other.
VOCAB
Glittering Generality
Plain Folks
Bandwagon
Card-Stacking
Name-Calling
Transfer/Symbol
General Elections
G.G. = Attractive but vague words (Hope, victory, etc.)
P.F. = "I'm just like you" and also have $67 million
B. = "Everyone else already voted for me"
C.S. = Lists good feats / stats to look good.
N.M. = Attacks other candidate (harmful info)
T.S. = Patriotic symbol (eagle, flag, etc.)
G.E. = Vote for people
I.E. = Vote for problems and laws.
Provide some of their responsibilities and duties for the city:
Sanford Mayor
City Manager
City Attourney
City Clerk
S.M. = Executive leader for Sanford, maintains city government, oversees government proceedings.
C.A. = Legal advice for Sanford, in charge of city contracts
C.C. = Staff support to city council, transcribes everything by the minute.
C.M. = City council secretary, submits annual budget
What are the qualifications for running for office in NC?
Minimum for Everything:
- 21 years old
- Registered to vote
- Qualified to vote in that election
Specific for House:
- 21 years old
- Live in district for past year
Specific for Senate:
- 25 years old
- Live in district for past year
- Live in state for past 2 years
Who are some of the Candidates running for H.O.R. and Senate for NC on a federal and state level?
Which party are they running for?
What are some of their qualifications and goals for office.
U.S. Senator election
Roy Cooper: Dem, previous gov, wants education + healthcare.
Michael Whatley: Rep, chairman of rep. national committee, wants less taxes + safety
U.S. H.O.R. Election
Paul Berringer: Dem, lawyer, wants education + healthcare
Brad Knot: Rep, H.O.R. representative, wants immigration control + less taxes
N.C. H.O.R. Election
April Mongomery: Indep, business owner, wants education + good local economy
Charles Taylor: Rep, previous city council representative, wants less taxes + security.
VOCAB
Multi-Party system
Third Parties
Primary elections
Closed primary
Open primary
Straight Ticket
Split Ticket
Open primary
M.P.S. = Many different parties --> election
3rd P. = Rarely wins but affects election by taking votes away from big candidates.
P.E. = Determines main candidate for party
Cl.Pr. = Can only vote for this primary if you are registered as that party.
O.P. = Can vote in any primary
Straight Ticket = Vote the same for all offices based on party
Split Ticket = Did not vote for the same party in every office.