TRIP WORK CHAPTER 9 STUFF

TRIP WORK

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 6

1) Explain how the electoral system influences presidential campaigns.
To be elected President, the candidate must have 270/538 of the electoral votes. These are derived by combining the number of people in congress, i.e. house + senators = number of electoral votes per state

2) Discuss how modern campaigns are funded.
in 1992, major party candidates received $55.2 million from the government. Third parties must receive at least 5% of the popular vote in order to be funded by the government. Business organizations and labor unions cannot make direct contributions, however, individuals may contribute up to $1000 to any candidate’s primary or general election campaign. An individual may also contribute up to $5000 to a political action committee.

3) What is the impact of mass media on elections?

Americans get most of their information from either television or, although not stated in the book, the Internet. Because of this, mass media impacts the way Americans view the people running for various positions, especially presidential candidates.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8

1) What the four major factors that influence voters decisions?
Personal Background of Voters, Loyalty to Political Parties, Issues in Election Campaigns, and The Candidate’s Image

2) Why do experts predict that campaign issues and the candidates' images may increasingly influence voters?

Voters are becoming less likely to vote due to belonging to a certain political group and are leaning towards the candidate’s image and what they believe in. Because of this, the candidate has to be specific on what they believe in and the topics they plan to address and change if they win the election.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 11

1) What are three suffrage requirements?
They must be a United States citizen, be a resident in that state, and be registered with that state.

2) Why do states have a residency requirement?
So the voter can become informed on state issues before taking part in elections.

3) What is the profile of a Regular Voter?
-positive attitude towards government and citizenship

-believes it is their duty to vote

-interested in political events

-believes their vote matters

-feels they have a say in how the government is run

-better educated

4) What is the profile of a Nonvoter?
-uninterested in politics

-do not care who wins or loses

-believes that that nothing will improve

5) Define Initiative, proposition, referendum, and recall.
Initiative – a procedure by which voters may propose a law or a state constitutional amendment

Proposition – a proposed new law or amendment

Referendum – a procedure by which voters approve or disapprove a measure the state legislature has passed.

Recall – provides a way for voters to remove elected officials who are incompetent or untrustworthy before their terms expire.

6) Discuss why some American citizens do not vote during elections. 

Some feel that their vote does not matter, while others believe that nothing is going to change so it’s pointless for them to waste their time going through the voting process.