Chapter 7: Elections

Nominations – the First StepNominations – the First Step Before the election can take place, Before the election can take place,

candidates must be nominatedcandidates must be nominated– This applies in ALL elections, not just This applies in ALL elections, not just

presidential!presidential! Nomination – the naming of Nomination – the naming of

candidates who will seek officecandidates who will seek office After candidates are nominated, After candidates are nominated,

the general election is heldthe general election is held

How Does a Candidate get How Does a Candidate get Nominated?Nominated?

4 Ways:4 Ways:– Self AnnouncementSelf Announcement– ConventionConvention– CaucusCaucus– PrimaryPrimary**To become a major party **To become a major party nominee for president, all 4 nominee for president, all 4 will be used**will be used**

Self-AnnouncementSelf-AnnouncementThe candidate The candidate

simply makes an simply makes an announcement announcement of his/her of his/her intention to seek intention to seek public office public office (could have a (could have a friend do it, too)friend do it, too) Ralph

Nader, Independent candidate

Self-AnnouncementSelf-AnnouncementUsually an Usually an

independent independent candidate or candidate or someone who someone who failed to win a failed to win a major party major party nominationnomination Ralph

Nader, Independent candidate

Self-AnnouncementSelf-AnnouncementTo get your name To get your name

on the ballot on the ballot generally generally requires a requires a number of number of signatures on a signatures on a petition (specifics petition (specifics are set by each are set by each state)state)

Ralph Nader, Independent candidate

ConventionConventionPublic meeting of party Public meeting of party

activists to energize voters activists to energize voters and choose a party candidateand choose a party candidate

ConventionConvention Used to be the method for major Used to be the method for major

parties to choose, but the conventions parties to choose, but the conventions became corruptbecame corrupt– Major parties still use them, but only to Major parties still use them, but only to

make the presidential nomination “official”make the presidential nomination “official”

ConventionConventionNow only used by minor Now only used by minor

parties (like the Libertarian parties (like the Libertarian Party shown below)Party shown below)

CaucusCaucus1800s - originally a private 1800s - originally a private

meeting of party leaders – no meeting of party leaders – no records kept or journalists records kept or journalists allowedallowed

The appearance of corruption The appearance of corruption led to reformsled to reforms

CaucusCaucusNow - a public meeting of any Now - a public meeting of any

party members who wish to party members who wish to participate and debateparticipate and debate

PrimaryPrimary A public election held within a A public election held within a

political party to choose the party’s political party to choose the party’s nominee for officenominee for office– Open Primary – any eligible voters Open Primary – any eligible voters

may votemay vote– Closed Primary – only registered party Closed Primary – only registered party

members may vote in their party’s members may vote in their party’s primaryprimary

Most common method in states Most common method in states todaytoday

And Now for And Now for Something Something

Completely DifferentCompletely Different

Caucus vs. PrimaryCaucus vs. PrimaryMake a primary ballot out of a Make a primary ballot out of a

half-sheet of paperhalf-sheet of paperOn your ballot, write down On your ballot, write down

your choice for president of your choice for president of Sesame StreetSesame Street

And now, announcing your And now, announcing your candidates…candidates…

Choose Your CandidateChoose Your Candidate