Section 1: Election Campaigns

Section 2: Campaign Funding and Political Action Committees

Section 3: Election Day and the Voters

Understanding Elections

The purpose of election campaigns is to help the public learn about the candidates, so that voters can make an informed decision on election day. Candidates today take advantage of media exposure and polling in order to influence the voters and get elected to public office.

Election Campaigns

A campaign informs the public about the candidate and the party’s

platform, their stand on important topics.

• Campaign Manager

• Finance Chair

• Pollster

• Media Coordinator

• Scheduler

• Issue Advisers, others

Campaign Staff• Identify Supporters

Conduct polls to identify where most support is

• Target the MessageUse polls and focus groups to learn which issues most important to supporters.

• Package the CandidateManage media coverage of candidate’s image and message

Campaign Strategy

Campaign Planning

On the Campaign Trail

Candidates spend most of campaign time on swing states: where support for candidates is about equal, or in states where their support is greatest

• Tackling the Issues– Candidates use stump speeches, or standard speeches usually less

than 20 minutes long, express candidate’s beliefs On key issues.

– Many candidates use slogans

• Negative Campaigning– Candidates may use negative campaigning, attacks on opposing

candidate’s weaknesses

Conducting a Campaign

Campaigns and the Media

Campaign’s media coordinator uses voters’ ages to determine which type of media to use to reach them.

– Broadcast Media

• Television, photos, radio

• Media often use sound bites of candidates’ speeches

– Print Media

• Newspapers, magazines, especially ads

• Often more detailed than broadcast; editorials influential

– The Internet

• Blogs, online editions of print media, TV news

Polls and PollingPolls can show where support is weakest; show which demographic may support the candidate; influence voters

Conducting a Campaign

Money plays a major role in election campaigns. Candidates and their staff must carefully decide where the campaign will get money and how it will use this money.

Campaign Funding and Political Action Committees

Election campaigns can be very expensive.

• Individual Donations: Largest source of funds; individuals contribute directly or by hosting fund-raisers

• Contributions by PACs: Second most important source of funds

• Political Party Contributions: Limited amounts funded by committees within a political party

• Public Funding: Comes from federal government through income tax; only available to presidential candidates

Where the Money Comes From

Funding Election Campaigns

Early Campaign Finance Reform

• 1907: Congress first restricts campaign funds; expanded restrictions in 1940s

• 1971: Congress passed FECA, requires candidates, PACs, political parties to report contributions received above certain amount

• FECA reports must identify contributors

FECA Amendments

• 1974: FEC (Federal Election Commission) created

• 1979: allowances made for unlimited spending on party-building activities

Soft Money

No restrictions placed on donations not given directly to candidates

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

2002: banned soft money raised for issue ads

Campaign Finance Laws

Elections and 527 Groups Tax-exempt organizations that have no limit on political donations

Controversies over 527 Groups First came to forefront in 2004 election (e.g., MoveOn.org)

Impact of 527 Groups Critics blame for increase in negative campaigning

Political Action Committees Many interest groups have a PAC.

How PACs Function Collects funds; distribute to political parties or candidates

Leadership PACs Not official campaign organizations; can raise unlimited funds

Influence of PACs Allow interest groups greater voice in government; critics say too powerful

Interest Groups and Election Campaigns

Campaign Reform and the Media BCRA requires ads to identify who is paying for them; supporters hope this reduces negative campaigning

Political Action Committees

• Many interest groups have a PAC.

Leadership PACs

• Not official campaign organizations

• Can raise unlimited funds

How PACs Function

• Collect funds

• Distribute to political parties or candidates

Influence of PACs

• Allow interest groups greater voice in government

• Critics say too powerful

Interest Groups and Election Campaigns

Elections and 527 Groups

• Tax-exempt organizations that have no limit on political donations

Impact of 527 Groups

• Critics blame for increase in negative campaigning

Controversies over 527 Groups

• First came to forefront in 2004 election (e.g., MoveOn.org)

Campaign Reform and the Media

• BCRA requires ads to identify who is paying for them

• Supporters hope this reduces negative campaigning

Interest Groups and Election Campaigns

Voting is one of the main responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. Being a part of the voting process and taking an active role in electing public officials helps give all Americans a voice in their government.

Election Day and the Voters

A Historic Election NightThe results hinged on which candidate won Florida and its 25 electoral

votes. After announcing different winners several times, the media could not declare a winner. It took more than a month before the outcome in Florida was decided.

• Florida officials used machines to recount ballots; results showed Bush as the winner

• Democrats asked for hand recount; high number of faulty ballots

• Each party filed lawsuit to force or prevent recounts

The Recount Controversy• Florida Supreme Court ordered

hand recount; decision was appealed

• U.S. Supreme Court declared Florida Supreme Court’s order unconstitutional

• Gore accepts defeat

Bush v. Gore

Election 2000

The United States is a democratic republic. In order to function well, its citizens must participate in politics.

• Voting rights extended several times in U.S. history

Voting Rates

• 45 percent of eligible voters vote in presidential elections, less in nonpresidential or local elections

• Voters under 25 least likely to vote

Impact of Voting

• Biggest impact of voting on local elections, which have the most direct effect on people’s lives

Voting Rights and Responsibilities

Working on Campaigns • Activities include working in

campaign office, making phone calls, talking to voters

Working at the Polls • Poll workers (hired employees)

and Poll watchers (volunteers) at polls on election day

Becoming a Candidate• One way citizens can become more

involved

Beyond the Right to Vote

Political Participation

The Voting ProcessSteps to Voting• Registering to Vote Americans must take initiative to register• Casting a Ballot Done either by casting paper ballot or by using mechanical

voting machine

One Person, One Vote• Reapportionment Redistribution of congressional seats due to population

changes• Redistricting Drawing new boundaries for legislative districts

Campaigns on Election Day • Election Day Activities Level of activity in an area depends on candidate’s

or opponent’s level of support• Getting Out the Vote Volunteers phone supporters to remind them to vote