1

Elections, Political parties, and the Executive Branch Note Guide

Political Parties

(453-462)

How do we elect the President? (Electoral College System Today)

When we vote in a Presidential Election, who are we voting for?

How many total electors are there today?

How is it determined how many electors each state gets?

How many electoral votes are needed to be elected President?

According to the 12th Amendment, who picks the President if that number isn’t reached?

What are Reasons for Electoral College?

What is a Political Party?

Political Party System:

1.

2.

3.

Minor parties (third parties):

The impact minor parties have played in Presidential elections.

1.

2.

3.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TIMELINE

(2016)

Electing a President

464-

How do political parties choose their candidates?

Direct Primary election:

  1. Closed primary:
  1. Open primary:

Caucuses

Choosing the Vice Presidential candidate:

The National Convention

  1. What is it?
  1. Platform
  1. Nomination
  1. When is it held?

Campaign Commercials

  1. Glittering Generalities
  1. Card Stacking
  2. Just Plain Folk
  1. Name Calling
  1. Bandwagon
  1. Transfer

Money and Elections

What is the cost of running for President?

Campaign Finance Laws:

Law effective for 2013-14

To candidate / To National Party / To any other political committee / Total for 2 year election cycle
Individual / $2600 / $32,400 / $10,000 to each state or local party committee
$5,000 toeach PAC or other political committee / $123,000 per two-year election cycle as follows:
• $48,000 per cycle to candidates; and
• $74,000 per cycle to all national party committees and PACs
PAC’s / $5,000 / $15,000 / $5,000 / No Limit

Where do candidates get their money?

Private contributions:

Public Contributions (Matching Funds):

PACs?

Super PAC

“Soft Money”

Federal Election Commission:

Image and Public Opinion

Tools used to get elected:

  1. Opinion Polls

What to look for in opinion polls

How do candidates use opinion polls in elections?

1

Helps to inform voters Political Propaganda

1

Voting in the election

Registration:

Voter turnout:

Problems with Electoral College:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Executive Branch

Term of Office:

Qualifications:

1.

2.

3.

Salary and Benefits:

Powers of the Vice President:

1.

2.

Constitutional Powers of the President

1. Commander in Chief of armed forces

2. Pardons and Reprieves

3. Treaties and Appointments

4. Veto

What can the President be impeached for?

System of Checks and Balances (Separation of Powers)

Executive Powers / Who can limit (check) this power? / How do they limit this power?
Appointment of federal judges
Make Treaties
Pardons or Reprieves
Commander and Chief of the Armed Forces
Veto
Legislative Powers
Make laws / 1.
2. / 1.
2.
Declare War
Impeachment
Judicial Powers
Judicial review (Declare laws or actions unconstitutional)