The document discusses several key aspects of public opinion in the United States, including:
1) Public opinion is difficult to define because there are many groups and many issues to account for.
2) Factors like family, schools, peer groups, media, and historic events influence the development of political opinions over time.
3) Polls are considered the best measure of public opinion, though they are not perfect and public opinion is not the only influence on policy.
The document discusses the nomination process for political candidates in the United States. It outlines five main ways candidates get nominated: 1) self-announcement, 2) caucuses, 3) conventions, 4) direct primaries, and 5) petitions. It provides details on closed and open primaries, noting debates around each. The document also includes specifics about the Ohio primary process and timeline.
This document outlines the chapter on national security policymaking. It covers the major instruments and actors involved in American foreign policy, including the military, economic tools, and diplomacy. It also discusses key international organizations, multinational corporations, nongovernmental groups, and terrorists as actors on the global stage. Additionally, it details the major policymakers in the US government who shape foreign policy, including the President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and congressional bodies.
The document outlines a chapter that discusses social welfare policy in the United States. It covers several topics: types of social welfare programs including entitlement and means-tested programs; income inequality and poverty rates in the US; the history of major welfare programs from the New Deal to current reforms; how the Social Security program works and the challenges of maintaining its financial solvency; and comparisons to social welfare policies in other countries. Learning objectives are provided to assess and evaluate different aspects of US social welfare policy.
This document summarizes key parts of a chapter about the US federal budget process. It outlines learning objectives on federal revenue and expenditures. It describes the major sources of federal revenue as individual and corporate income taxes and social insurance taxes. It explains that federal expenditures have grown due to the rise of defense and social programs spending. It also discusses how incremental increases and entitlement programs contribute to continued budget growth under democratic politics.
The document outlines a chapter that discusses the US federal judicial system. It covers the structure of the system, including the district courts, courts of appeal, and Supreme Court. It also addresses the process of selecting judges and justices, the backgrounds of judges, and the role of courts in making policy decisions. Key topics covered include the nomination and confirmation process, how courts accept cases, and how decisions are made.
This chapter discusses the federal bureaucracy in the United States. It covers the types of federal employees, including civil servants and political appointees. It also outlines the four types of agencies that make up the federal bureaucracy: cabinet departments, independent regulatory commissions, government corporations, and independent executive agencies. The chapter examines how bureaucracies implement policies and regulate different industries, as well as ways that unelected bureaucrats are controlled in American democracy and how bureaucracies impact the scope of government.
The document outlines a chapter about the American presidency. It includes sections on presidential powers, how the president runs the government, presidential leadership of Congress, the president's role in national security, and relations with the public and press. Learning objectives are provided for each section, covering topics like the president's constitutional powers, roles of cabinet members and White House staff, sources of the president's influence over Congress, and management of national security issues.
The document discusses several key aspects of public opinion in the United States, including:
1) Public opinion is difficult to define because there are many groups and many issues to account for.
2) Factors like family, schools, peer groups, media, and historic events influence the development of political opinions over time.
3) Polls are considered the best measure of public opinion, though they are not perfect and public opinion is not the only influence on policy.
The document discusses the nomination process for political candidates in the United States. It outlines five main ways candidates get nominated: 1) self-announcement, 2) caucuses, 3) conventions, 4) direct primaries, and 5) petitions. It provides details on closed and open primaries, noting debates around each. The document also includes specifics about the Ohio primary process and timeline.
This document outlines the chapter on national security policymaking. It covers the major instruments and actors involved in American foreign policy, including the military, economic tools, and diplomacy. It also discusses key international organizations, multinational corporations, nongovernmental groups, and terrorists as actors on the global stage. Additionally, it details the major policymakers in the US government who shape foreign policy, including the President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and congressional bodies.
The document outlines a chapter that discusses social welfare policy in the United States. It covers several topics: types of social welfare programs including entitlement and means-tested programs; income inequality and poverty rates in the US; the history of major welfare programs from the New Deal to current reforms; how the Social Security program works and the challenges of maintaining its financial solvency; and comparisons to social welfare policies in other countries. Learning objectives are provided to assess and evaluate different aspects of US social welfare policy.
This document summarizes key parts of a chapter about the US federal budget process. It outlines learning objectives on federal revenue and expenditures. It describes the major sources of federal revenue as individual and corporate income taxes and social insurance taxes. It explains that federal expenditures have grown due to the rise of defense and social programs spending. It also discusses how incremental increases and entitlement programs contribute to continued budget growth under democratic politics.
The document outlines a chapter that discusses the US federal judicial system. It covers the structure of the system, including the district courts, courts of appeal, and Supreme Court. It also addresses the process of selecting judges and justices, the backgrounds of judges, and the role of courts in making policy decisions. Key topics covered include the nomination and confirmation process, how courts accept cases, and how decisions are made.
This chapter discusses the federal bureaucracy in the United States. It covers the types of federal employees, including civil servants and political appointees. It also outlines the four types of agencies that make up the federal bureaucracy: cabinet departments, independent regulatory commissions, government corporations, and independent executive agencies. The chapter examines how bureaucracies implement policies and regulate different industries, as well as ways that unelected bureaucrats are controlled in American democracy and how bureaucracies impact the scope of government.
The document outlines a chapter about the American presidency. It includes sections on presidential powers, how the president runs the government, presidential leadership of Congress, the president's role in national security, and relations with the public and press. Learning objectives are provided for each section, covering topics like the president's constitutional powers, roles of cabinet members and White House staff, sources of the president's influence over Congress, and management of national security issues.
The document outlines a chapter about Congress that covers:
1) The organization of Congress including the House, Senate, leadership roles, committees, and staff.
2) The congressional election process and factors that influence outcomes like incumbency.
3) How bills become laws including the path from introduction to committee review to floor votes to presidential action.
4) Additional influences on congressional decision-making such as the president, parties, constituencies, lobbyists, and member ideology.
5) Congress's role as a representative body and the impact of representation on the scope of government.
This document outlines a chapter about interest groups that covers: the role of interest groups in politics according to pluralism, elitism, and hyperpluralism theories; factors that make groups successful such as intensity and resources; strategies groups use to shape policy like lobbying, electioneering, litigation, and going public; and types of interest groups including economic, environmental, and equality interests. The document provides learning objectives for understanding interest groups.
This document outlines and provides learning objectives for a chapter about campaigns and voting behavior. It discusses the nomination process, campaign strategies, the role of money and fundraising in campaigns, the impact of campaigns on voters, factors influencing voter turnout, and how Americans make voting decisions. The chapter examines the fairness of the primary system, key campaign objectives, campaign finance laws and reforms, and reasons why campaigns have a limited yet important effect on election outcomes.
The internal organization of political parties in the United States is best characterized as decentralized and fragmented. National party organizations have limited control over state parties, which have significant discretion in choosing nominees for state and local offices. Some key aspects of party organization include closed and open primaries at the state level, national conventions for nominating presidential candidates, and national chairpersons guiding activities between conventions.
The document outlines a chapter about the mass media and the political agenda. It includes sections on the mass media today, the development of media politics, reporting the news, the news and public opinion, policy entrepreneurs and agenda setting, and understanding the mass media. Each section includes learning objectives and outlines key topics and concepts to be covered in that part of the chapter.
The document outlines a chapter on public opinion and political action from a textbook. It includes:
- An introduction and learning objectives for each section, which are about measuring and understanding public opinion, political participation, and the influence of demographics and ideology.
- Subsections on topics like political socialization, the role of polls, levels of political knowledge, forms of participation, and views on the scope of government.
This document outlines a chapter on civil rights and public policy. It discusses the evolution of protections for various groups, including African Americans, women, minorities, people with disabilities, seniors and LGBT individuals. It also covers key topics like affirmative action, the role of government in protecting civil rights, and Supreme Court cases that advanced equality. Learning objectives are provided to help students understand how civil rights principles have been applied and the continuing work to ensure equal treatment under law.
The document outlines a chapter that discusses civil liberties and public policy in the United States. It covers several topics: the Bill of Rights and how its protections have been applied to states; freedom of religion and the establishment and free exercise clauses; freedom of expression including various types of speech and limitations; freedom of assembly and the right to associate; the right to bear arms and recent Supreme Court cases; defendants' rights during criminal proceedings; the right to privacy and its application to abortion law; and how civil liberties both limit and expand the scope of government. Each section includes an introduction to key court cases and legal concepts.
The document provides an outline and learning objectives for a chapter on federalism. It defines federalism as organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have authority over the same land and people. It describes how the Constitution divides powers between national and state governments and establishes national supremacy. It also discusses the shift from dual to cooperative federalism and the role of fiscal federalism in intergovernmental relations today, with the federal government providing substantial funding to states and local governments through grants. Additionally, it assesses the impact of federalism on democratic government and the scope of the national government.
The document outlines a chapter that will discuss the origins and creation of the US Constitution. It includes learning objectives about the failures of the Articles of Confederation, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention, and the key issues debated at the convention. The chapter will examine how the ideas of the American Revolution influenced the Constitution and how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led the founding fathers to draft a new framework for the national government.
The document outlines chapter 1 of a government textbook, including learning objectives on the key functions and principles of US government. It discusses the role of government, politics, the policymaking system, democracy, and debates around the proper scope of government. Specifically, it defines government and its basic functions, how politics determines leaders and policies, how citizens and policies influence each other, principles and theories of democracy, and arguments around the size of government responsibilities.
This chapter discusses different levels of local government in the United States, including counties, towns, townships, and special districts. It describes the typical structure of county government and common functions of counties like maintaining jails, assessing property taxes, and building infrastructure. The chapter also covers the governments of towns, townships, and special districts. It discusses the major services provided by state and local governments and how their budgets can vary depending on factors like urbanization and geography. The chapter also explains the system of financing for state and local governments, including limits on revenue sources, principles of taxation, and the budget process.
The document summarizes key aspects of state and local government in Texas. It discusses the structure of county governments, including commissioners courts and other county officials. It describes special districts and their function of performing governmental services. It also outlines the structure of school districts and their elected boards.
This document provides an overview of state governments in the United States. It discusses the history and principles of early state constitutions, the typical structure and roles of state legislatures, governors, and courts. It notes that state legislatures are usually bicameral and hold annual sessions. Governors typically serve four-year terms and share executive powers with other elected officials. State courts apply different types of law and are organized in a hierarchy, with general trial courts hearing most civil and criminal cases. Judges are usually selected by popular vote, gubernatorial appointment, or legislative appointment.
The document summarizes political systems in several countries. For Great Britain, it describes the key elements of Britain's unwritten constitution, including the role of the monarchy and Parliament. It then summarizes the political systems of Japan, Mexico, and Russia. For Japan, it notes the structure of the National Diet and roles of the executive branch and bureaucracy. For Mexico, it discusses its early political history and current three-branch government system. For Russia, it outlines the country's political history since the Bolshevik Revolution and the structure of the former Soviet government.
This chapter discusses the Texas state constitution and government. It provides details on the history of the Texas constitution from 1836 to the current 1876 constitution. It describes the structure of the Texas legislature which is bicameral, and the roles of the governor and other executive offices like the lieutenant governor. It also outlines the organization of Texas state courts from local trial courts up to the supreme court and court of criminal appeals. Judges can be selected through popular vote, gubernatorial appointment, or local executive appointment.
This chapter discusses diversity and discrimination in American society. It covers several topics:
- The heterogeneous nature of the U.S. population, which has grown more diverse over time through immigration and higher birth rates among some minority groups.
- Discrimination faced by African Americans, who have endured long-standing unjust treatment based on race.
- Discrimination against women in areas like pay, representation in government, and corporate roles.
- Key Supreme Court cases that ended legal segregation and struck down laws discriminating based on sex or race.
- The development of civil rights laws from the 1960s onward that prohibit discrimination.
- Issues around affirmative action and debates over its implementation.
- American citizenship, how
The document summarizes key aspects of Chapter 20 from a civics textbook. It discusses the meaning and origins of due process under the 5th and 14th Amendments, including substantive and procedural due process. It describes police powers that allow states to promote health, safety, morals and general welfare. It also covers the constitutional right to privacy established in Griswold v. Connecticut. The summary discusses rights of the accused such as habeas corpus, speedy and public trials, trial by jury, rights to an adequate defense and not self-incriminating.
This document summarizes key concepts from Chapter 19 on individual rights and liberties from the US Constitution. It discusses the following main points:
1) The Bill of Rights and later amendments expanded protections for individual freedoms against government overreach.
2) Rights are balanced and limited to prevent infringing on others, with tensions arising around issues like freedom of speech versus fair trials.
3) Religious freedom is protected through non-establishment and free exercise clauses, though debates continue around school prayer and funding private religious schools.
4) Other freedoms like speech, press, assembly, and petition allow open debate but have reasonable limits for issues like sedition, obscenity or trespassing on private property
This document provides an overview of the US national judiciary system. It discusses the creation of the federal court system and outlines the main court structures, including the Supreme Court, district courts, courts of appeals, and special courts like the Court of Federal Claims. It covers the appointment and roles of federal judges, as well as the jurisdiction and procedures of the different court levels. Key points include that the Constitution established the Supreme Court while Congress determines lower federal courts, and that federal judges are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate.
The document outlines a chapter about Congress that covers:
1) The organization of Congress including the House, Senate, leadership roles, committees, and staff.
2) The congressional election process and factors that influence outcomes like incumbency.
3) How bills become laws including the path from introduction to committee review to floor votes to presidential action.
4) Additional influences on congressional decision-making such as the president, parties, constituencies, lobbyists, and member ideology.
5) Congress's role as a representative body and the impact of representation on the scope of government.
This document outlines a chapter about interest groups that covers: the role of interest groups in politics according to pluralism, elitism, and hyperpluralism theories; factors that make groups successful such as intensity and resources; strategies groups use to shape policy like lobbying, electioneering, litigation, and going public; and types of interest groups including economic, environmental, and equality interests. The document provides learning objectives for understanding interest groups.
This document outlines and provides learning objectives for a chapter about campaigns and voting behavior. It discusses the nomination process, campaign strategies, the role of money and fundraising in campaigns, the impact of campaigns on voters, factors influencing voter turnout, and how Americans make voting decisions. The chapter examines the fairness of the primary system, key campaign objectives, campaign finance laws and reforms, and reasons why campaigns have a limited yet important effect on election outcomes.
The internal organization of political parties in the United States is best characterized as decentralized and fragmented. National party organizations have limited control over state parties, which have significant discretion in choosing nominees for state and local offices. Some key aspects of party organization include closed and open primaries at the state level, national conventions for nominating presidential candidates, and national chairpersons guiding activities between conventions.
The document outlines a chapter about the mass media and the political agenda. It includes sections on the mass media today, the development of media politics, reporting the news, the news and public opinion, policy entrepreneurs and agenda setting, and understanding the mass media. Each section includes learning objectives and outlines key topics and concepts to be covered in that part of the chapter.
The document outlines a chapter on public opinion and political action from a textbook. It includes:
- An introduction and learning objectives for each section, which are about measuring and understanding public opinion, political participation, and the influence of demographics and ideology.
- Subsections on topics like political socialization, the role of polls, levels of political knowledge, forms of participation, and views on the scope of government.
This document outlines a chapter on civil rights and public policy. It discusses the evolution of protections for various groups, including African Americans, women, minorities, people with disabilities, seniors and LGBT individuals. It also covers key topics like affirmative action, the role of government in protecting civil rights, and Supreme Court cases that advanced equality. Learning objectives are provided to help students understand how civil rights principles have been applied and the continuing work to ensure equal treatment under law.
The document outlines a chapter that discusses civil liberties and public policy in the United States. It covers several topics: the Bill of Rights and how its protections have been applied to states; freedom of religion and the establishment and free exercise clauses; freedom of expression including various types of speech and limitations; freedom of assembly and the right to associate; the right to bear arms and recent Supreme Court cases; defendants' rights during criminal proceedings; the right to privacy and its application to abortion law; and how civil liberties both limit and expand the scope of government. Each section includes an introduction to key court cases and legal concepts.
The document provides an outline and learning objectives for a chapter on federalism. It defines federalism as organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have authority over the same land and people. It describes how the Constitution divides powers between national and state governments and establishes national supremacy. It also discusses the shift from dual to cooperative federalism and the role of fiscal federalism in intergovernmental relations today, with the federal government providing substantial funding to states and local governments through grants. Additionally, it assesses the impact of federalism on democratic government and the scope of the national government.
The document outlines a chapter that will discuss the origins and creation of the US Constitution. It includes learning objectives about the failures of the Articles of Confederation, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention, and the key issues debated at the convention. The chapter will examine how the ideas of the American Revolution influenced the Constitution and how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led the founding fathers to draft a new framework for the national government.
The document outlines chapter 1 of a government textbook, including learning objectives on the key functions and principles of US government. It discusses the role of government, politics, the policymaking system, democracy, and debates around the proper scope of government. Specifically, it defines government and its basic functions, how politics determines leaders and policies, how citizens and policies influence each other, principles and theories of democracy, and arguments around the size of government responsibilities.
This chapter discusses different levels of local government in the United States, including counties, towns, townships, and special districts. It describes the typical structure of county government and common functions of counties like maintaining jails, assessing property taxes, and building infrastructure. The chapter also covers the governments of towns, townships, and special districts. It discusses the major services provided by state and local governments and how their budgets can vary depending on factors like urbanization and geography. The chapter also explains the system of financing for state and local governments, including limits on revenue sources, principles of taxation, and the budget process.
The document summarizes key aspects of state and local government in Texas. It discusses the structure of county governments, including commissioners courts and other county officials. It describes special districts and their function of performing governmental services. It also outlines the structure of school districts and their elected boards.
This document provides an overview of state governments in the United States. It discusses the history and principles of early state constitutions, the typical structure and roles of state legislatures, governors, and courts. It notes that state legislatures are usually bicameral and hold annual sessions. Governors typically serve four-year terms and share executive powers with other elected officials. State courts apply different types of law and are organized in a hierarchy, with general trial courts hearing most civil and criminal cases. Judges are usually selected by popular vote, gubernatorial appointment, or legislative appointment.
The document summarizes political systems in several countries. For Great Britain, it describes the key elements of Britain's unwritten constitution, including the role of the monarchy and Parliament. It then summarizes the political systems of Japan, Mexico, and Russia. For Japan, it notes the structure of the National Diet and roles of the executive branch and bureaucracy. For Mexico, it discusses its early political history and current three-branch government system. For Russia, it outlines the country's political history since the Bolshevik Revolution and the structure of the former Soviet government.
This chapter discusses the Texas state constitution and government. It provides details on the history of the Texas constitution from 1836 to the current 1876 constitution. It describes the structure of the Texas legislature which is bicameral, and the roles of the governor and other executive offices like the lieutenant governor. It also outlines the organization of Texas state courts from local trial courts up to the supreme court and court of criminal appeals. Judges can be selected through popular vote, gubernatorial appointment, or local executive appointment.
This chapter discusses diversity and discrimination in American society. It covers several topics:
- The heterogeneous nature of the U.S. population, which has grown more diverse over time through immigration and higher birth rates among some minority groups.
- Discrimination faced by African Americans, who have endured long-standing unjust treatment based on race.
- Discrimination against women in areas like pay, representation in government, and corporate roles.
- Key Supreme Court cases that ended legal segregation and struck down laws discriminating based on sex or race.
- The development of civil rights laws from the 1960s onward that prohibit discrimination.
- Issues around affirmative action and debates over its implementation.
- American citizenship, how
The document summarizes key aspects of Chapter 20 from a civics textbook. It discusses the meaning and origins of due process under the 5th and 14th Amendments, including substantive and procedural due process. It describes police powers that allow states to promote health, safety, morals and general welfare. It also covers the constitutional right to privacy established in Griswold v. Connecticut. The summary discusses rights of the accused such as habeas corpus, speedy and public trials, trial by jury, rights to an adequate defense and not self-incriminating.
This document summarizes key concepts from Chapter 19 on individual rights and liberties from the US Constitution. It discusses the following main points:
1) The Bill of Rights and later amendments expanded protections for individual freedoms against government overreach.
2) Rights are balanced and limited to prevent infringing on others, with tensions arising around issues like freedom of speech versus fair trials.
3) Religious freedom is protected through non-establishment and free exercise clauses, though debates continue around school prayer and funding private religious schools.
4) Other freedoms like speech, press, assembly, and petition allow open debate but have reasonable limits for issues like sedition, obscenity or trespassing on private property
This document provides an overview of the US national judiciary system. It discusses the creation of the federal court system and outlines the main court structures, including the Supreme Court, district courts, courts of appeals, and special courts like the Court of Federal Claims. It covers the appointment and roles of federal judges, as well as the jurisdiction and procedures of the different court levels. Key points include that the Constitution established the Supreme Court while Congress determines lower federal courts, and that federal judges are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate.
1. CHAPTER 7
The Nominating Process
• Why is the nominating process a critical first step in
the election process?
• What are self-announcement, the caucus, and the
convention nominating methods?
• Why is the direct primary the principal nominating
method used in the United States today?
• Why do some candidates use the petition as a
nominating device?
2. CHAPTER 7
A Critical First Step
1. Nomination, in which the field of candidates is narrowed
2. General election, the regularly scheduled election where voters
make the final choice of officeholder
In the United States, the election process occurs in
two steps:
4. CHAPTER 7
Three Ways to Nominate
• Self-Announcement – A person who wants to run for
office announces their candidacy. Whenever a write-in
candidate appears on the ballot, the self-announcement
process has been used.
• The Caucus – Originally a private meeting of local
bigwigs, the caucus as a nominating device fell out of
favor in the 1820s.
• The Convention – Considered more democratic than
the caucus, convention delegates were selected to
represent the people’s wishes. Party bosses soon
found ways to manipulate the system, however, and the
convention system was on its way out by the early
1900s.
5. CHAPTER 7
The Direct Primary
Closed Primary
Only declared party members can vote.
Closed Primary
Only declared party members can vote.
Open Primary
Any qualified voter can take part.
Open Primary
Any qualified voter can take part.
Nonpartisan Primary
Candidates are not identified by party
labels
Nonpartisan Primary
Candidates are not identified by party
labels
Runoff Primary
If a required majority is not met, the two
people with the most votes run again
Runoff Primary
If a required majority is not met, the two
people with the most votes run again
Blanket Primary
Qualified voters can vote for any
candidate, regardless of party
Blanket Primary
Qualified voters can vote for any
candidate, regardless of party
Types of Direct Primaries
7. CHAPTER 7
Petition
• Candidates must gather a required number of voters’
signatures to get on the ballot by means of petition.
• Minor party and independent candidates are usually
required by State law to be nominated by petition.
• Petition is often used at the local level to nominate for
school posts and municipal offices.
8. CHAPTER 7
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Section 1 Assessment
1. The most commonly used method of nomination today is
(a) the caucus.
(b) the direct primary.
(c) self-announcement.
(d) the convention.
2. A runoff primary is held in some States when
(a) no one wins a majority of votes.
(b) there is only one candidate.
(c) not enough voters turn out on election day.
(d) a candidate asks for a recount.
9. CHAPTER 7
Want to connect to the Magruder’s link for this chapter? Click Here!
Section 1 Assessment
1. The most commonly used method of nomination today is
(a) the caucus.
(b) the direct primary.
(c) self-announcement.
(d) the convention.
2. A runoff primary is held in some States when
(a) no one wins a majority of votes.
(b) there is only one candidate.
(c) not enough voters turn out on election day.
(d) a candidate asks for a recount.
10. CHAPTER 7
Elections
• How does the administration of elections in the United
States make democracy work?
• What role do precincts and polling places play in the
election process?
• In what ways can voters cast their ballots?
• What role do voting machines and other innovations
play in the election process?
11. CHAPTER 7
Elections are primarily regulated by State law, but there are
some overreaching federal regulations.
The Administration of Elections
Congress
• Congress has the power to set the time, place, and manner of congressional and
presidential elections.
• Congress has chosen the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every
even-numbered year for congressional elections, with the presidential election
being held the same day every fourth year.
States
• States determine the details of the election of thousands of State and local officials.
• Most States provide for absentee voting, for voters who are unable to get to their
regular polling places on election day. Some States within the last few years have
started to allow voting a few days before election day to increase voter
participation.
12. CHAPTER 7
Precincts and Polling Places
Precincts
• A precinct is a voting district.
• Precincts are the smallest geographic units used to carry out elections.
• A precinct election board supervises the voting process in each precinct.
Polling Places
• A polling place is where the voters who live in a precinct go to vote.
• It is located in or near each precinct. Polling places are supposed to be
located conveniently for voters.
13. CHAPTER 7
Casting the Ballot
History of the Ballot
• Voting was initially done orally. It was considered “manly” to speak out
your vote without fear of reprisal.
• Paper ballots began to be used in the mid-1800s. At first, people provided
their own ballots. Then, political machines began to take advantage of
the flexibility of the process to intimidate, buy, or manufacture votes.
• In the late 1800s, ballot reforms cleaned up ballot fraud by supplying
standardized, accurate ballots and mandating that voting be secret.
15. CHAPTER 7
Voting Machines and Innovations
• Electronic vote counting has
been in use since the 1960s.
Punch-card ballots are often
used to cast votes.
• Vote-by-mail elections have
come into use in recent years.
• Online voting is a trend that may
be encountered in the near
future.
16. CHAPTER 7
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Section 2 Assessment
1. Elections are held on
(a) the first Wednesday after Halloween.
(b) the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
(c) the second Thursday after the first Monday in March.
(d) the first Monday in December.
2. The Office-Group Ballot encourages
(a) voter fraud.
(b) split-ticket voting.
(c) voter dissatisfaction.
(d) the Democratic Party.
17. CHAPTER 7
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Section 2 Assessment
1. Elections are held on
(a) the first Wednesday after Halloween.
(b) the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
(c) the second Thursday after the first Monday in March.
(d) the first Monday in December.
2. The Office-Group Ballot encourages
(a) voter fraud.
(b) split-ticket voting.
(c) voter dissatisfaction.
(d) the Democratic Party.
18. CHAPTER 7
Money and Elections
• What are the issues raised by campaign spending?
• What are the various sources of campaign funding?
• How do federal laws regulate campaign finance?
• What role does the Federal Election Commission have
in enforcing campaign finance laws?
• What loopholes exist in today’s campaign finance
laws?
20. CHAPTER 7
Private and Public Sources of Campaign Money
CandidatesCandidates
Wealthy supportersWealthy supporters
Small contributorsSmall contributors
Temporary fund-raising organizationsTemporary fund-raising organizations
Nonparty groups such as PACsNonparty groups such as PACs
Government subsidiesGovernment subsidies
Sources of Funding
21. CHAPTER 7
Regulating Campaign Financing
• Early campaign regulations were created in 1907, but feebly enforced.
• The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971 was passed to
replaced the former, ineffective legislation.
• The FECA Amendments of 1974 were passed in response to the
Watergate scandal.
• Buckley v. Valeo invalidated some of the measures in the FECA
Amendments of 1974. Most significantly, it also stipulated that several of
the limits that the 1974 amendments placed on spending only apply to
candidates who accept campaign money from the government, not those
who raise money independently.
• The FECA Amendments of 1976 were passed in response to Buckley v.
Valeo.
22. CHAPTER 7
The Federal Election Commission
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) enforces:
• the timely disclosure of campaign finance information
• limits on campaign contributions
• limits on campaign expenditures
• provisions for public funding of presidential campaigns
23. CHAPTER 7
Loopholes in the Law
“More loophole than law…” — Lyndon Johnson
• Soft money—money given to State and local party organizations for
“party-building activities” that is filtered to presidential or congressional
campaigns. $500 million was given to campaigns in this way in 2000.
• Independent campaign spending—a person unrelated and unconnected to
a candidate or party can spend as much money as they want to benefit or
work against candidates.
• Issue ads—take a stand on certain issues in order to criticize or support a
certain candidate without actually mentioning that person’s name.
24. CHAPTER 7
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Section 3 Assessment
1. Sources of campaign funding include
(a) nonparty groups, such as political action committees.
(b) government subsidies.
(c) candidates’ personal funds.
(d) all of the above.
2. Under federal election legislation passed in the 1970s, candidates are not allowed
to
(a) take government subsidies.
(b) use their own money in campaigns.
(c) take contributions of more than $1,000.
(d) all of the above.
25. CHAPTER 7
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Section 3 Assessment
1. Sources of campaign funding include
(a) nonparty groups, such as political action committees.
(b) government subsidies.
(c) candidates’ personal funds.
(d) all of the above.
2. Under federal election legislation passed in the 1970s, candidates are not allowed
to
(a) take government subsidies.
(b) use their own money in campaigns.
(c) take contributions of more than $1,000.
(d) all of the above.