How Do You Get Elected President?

 

Nomination:

            To 1832: Caucus: selection by a small group of party leaders

            Since 1832: Nominating Convention:

 

Delegates to the National Convention are selected in one of two ways:

            1) By a district level or state level convention (25% of states)

            2) By a Primary election: delegates are elected by party members and pledge to

                        vote for the candidate

 

The Convention:

            2 to 3 months before the election the “political circus” begins

            aims are to focus attention on the party, to rouse the rank and file, reconcile

                        differences within the party to create a platform, nominate a ticket

 

Usually the candidate has personal popularity with few enemies, moderate views on

            controversial issues, hail from a heavily populated but doubtful state

 

Names that are considered include the active candidates and “favorite sons” (state

            leaders who are being honored by their delegations

 

Sometimes a “dark horse” candidate is nominated when no majority can be reached

The Vice President is usually a person who can “balance the ticket”

 

The Election:

            going to the people: speeches, traveling, public appearances etc.

            finances: limited amounts can be contributed to candidates by law

            people vote on the first Tuesday of November for their candidates electors

 

The Electoral College:

            each state has the same number of electors as it has Congressmen (538 now)

            winning slate of electors receives either a majority or a plurality (most votes)

            the winning slate receives ALL the electoral votes,  majority of 270 to win

            in the case of a tie, The House of Reps votes from among the top three electoral

                        vote getters, each state get one vote and President must get a majority

            for Vice, if no majority, Senate chooses from among the top two

 

Effects of the Electoral College:

            distorts actual voting results

            slim victory in larger states is all that is necessary

            converts popular plurality into an electoral majority: eliminates deadlock

            minor parties are discouraged: not enough votes to get electoral votes

            electors may break their pledges in most states

            most campaigning is in large, urban industrialized areas

            in close states, candidates seek to please minority groups that could sway vote