Electoral Process
What are the disadvantages of closed primaries?
They Compromise the secrecy of the ballot and tend to exclude independent voters from the nomination process
What is public financing?
Taxpayers can choose to donate extra money each year.
Define Interest Groups
An organization of people who have policy goals and try to influence policymakers to accomplish these goals.
How many votes does a candidate need to win the electoral voting?
They need 270 votes.
What is media also referred to as?
They are also referred as the fourth branch of government.
What is a major function of political parties?
The Nomination Process
What is the spending limit on individual donations?
There is a $1,000 limit on contribution and a $1,000 limit on expenditures.
Name the ways they influence policymakers
1. Lobbying- butter-up
2. Electioneering- pay for political ads
3. Litigation- take a law to court and challenge it
4. Gaining Public Support- more political support= ability for other 3
When does electoral voting take place?
Electors vote on the Monday following the second Wednesday in December.
How does mass media connect people to policymakers?
Media serves as a KEY LINKAGE INSTITUTION.
What is the oldest form of nomination?
Self Announcement
What did the McCain-Feingold Act do?
It increased donations per person and limited the spending and advertising for businesses/unions.
Political parties want to get candidates elected and interest groups work to get laws passed.
What are the flaws of the electoral college?
The winner of the popular vote isn't guaranteed, the Constitution doesn't force electors to vote the way of the popular vote, and if no candidate receives 270, the House of Representatives.
What are the sources of media?
1. Print Media- Newspapers/ magazines
2. Broadcast Media- Television/ Radio
3. Internet- Social Media
What are the five ways that candidates are nominated?
1. Self Announcement
2. Caucus
3. Convention
4. Direct Primary
5. Petition
Hard Money- Given directly to candidates where limits and regulations apply.
Soft Money-Political donations given to the party that can avoid government regulations.
What do Interest Groups do?
1. Bring lawsuits against the government.
2. Make donations to candidates.
3. Influence lawmakers.
4. Advertise issues on media/social media.
5. Contribute to campaign ads.
What are the flaws of letting the House or Reps decide?
1. Each state only gets 1 vote.
2. If the state can't agree, they forfeit the vote.
3. Can end in a tie since we have 50 states.
4. They are the lowest qualified members of government.
What are the three essential roles of the media?
1. They serve as Watchdog.
2. They set the public agenda.
3. Supports the free exchange of ideas.
What is the difference between closed primary and open primary?
Closed Primary- Prevents one party from raiding other's primary/makes candidates more responsive/makes voters more thoughtful
Open Primary-Allows any person to vote for whichever party they want
What is the difference between PACS and Super PACS?
PACS- An organization created to influence state/federal elections. Created by businesses/ unions to support candidates. There is a $5,000 limit, and the money goes directly to candidates.
Super PACS- Independent expenditure groups. They don't give directly to candidates and; therefore, don't have any limits on spending. Super PACS may collect direct money from businesses and unons.
What is the most often way Interest Groups affect public policymaking?
They use Litigation
What are the three proposed plans?
1. District Plan
2. Proportional Plan
3. Direct Popular Plan
How do politicians influence the media?
1. Staging- Allows the candidate to decide what is said.
2. Spinning- Allows the candidate to persuade the public to perceive the issue in a certain way.
3. Leaking- An unofficial release of confidential information to the media.