Civics 4.2

General - November - local, state, and federal

Primary - voters choose from candidates in the same party

Run-off - no clear majority of 50% or more so top two voted on

some state choose their party's nominee by caucus instead of primary - Iowa - appoint delegates who vote at the national convention

most state elections are partisan (D, R, or I next to name)

some local and state elections are non-partisan (no labeled party affiliation)

focus on credentials rather than party affiliation

Special elections - recall elections - remove elected official from office

initiative - citizens force a vote on a particular issue by getting enough citizens to sign a petition

propositions - votes to determine whether or not the public supports a certain policy or changes in the law

winner of the presidential election chosen not by the people but be electors from each state to the Electoral College

each state possesses a certain amount of representatives (2 senators + # of House of Reps.)

Win majority vote, get all except in 2 states

do not need popular vote to win

strategy for winning/process of running for office

PACS - political action committees - heavily financed groups which back one candidate due to issues the PAC wishes addressed

since 1976, presidential candidates have access to public funding if they accept the $, must limit campaign spending

Canvassing - volunteers go door to door or put themselves in public areas to bring attention to their candidate

Political endorsements - statements of support from influential leaders and/or organizations

information meant to influence voters to support a specific candidate over another

"stacking cards" - strategy misleading of information which may or may not be true

Image Molding - positive or negative

positive campaigning - appeal to mainstream voters by having candidates appear normal or "just plain folk"

make them relatable

Negative campaigning - name calling

Candidates speak in "glittering generalities"