How to become President of the United
States: Follow these steps!
White House
Caucus
NATIONAL
CONVENTION
GENERAL
ELECTION
ELECTORAL
COLLEGE
PRIMARY
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1fSvSbOEpM&list=PLA8BD7BD0B5456D37
Tap into the Party Machine
▪
Each state manages its own operations creating a
decentralized and fragmented party system:
1. Patronage dominates: party regulars/loyalists
become candidates/appointees.
2. Hold a public office at some level (typically US
Senate/House or Governor).
3. Choosing candidates takes parties through
“grassroots” democracy: Win the support of
Americans in Primaries/Caucuses
Does MN have a Caucus or a Primary System?
Caucus!
Primaries vs. Caucuses
• What are they and why do some
states have primaries and some have
caucuses?
• Both Select the candidate that will be on the Ballot in November.
• Grassroots involvement = Caucus meetings
• Political Parties hold separate caucuses. (Dem/Rep)
• Caucuses determine the candidates who will be on the ballot
in November (one per party!)
• Caucuses also chose delegates to go to the next step
(Convention) to vote for each
• Primaries also determine the candidate for November, but by
voting rather than meetings (caucuses).
What happens at a Primary?
New Hampshire - Primary
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlhXyh_usbo
• 2 min 48 seconds
3 types of Primaries:
•Closed: only “party faithful” (members) can
vote. (declare in advance)
•Open: individuals select which party
primary to vote in when they get the ballot. –
Ex: only vote for Democrats on the ballot.
•Blanket (“free love”): all parties run on one
ballot. You can vote split ticket!
(2000 Supreme Court struck this down
because it violated the basic function of a
political party: to choose
candidates Democratic Party (CA) v. Jones.
What does this say about voter
turnout for Primary Elections?
Interpret this graph:
Iowa Caucus Explained
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCylh5kHsB4
▪
Goal: Win the primary/caucus. You get
the number of delegates the state law
allocates. Some are proportional (caucus),
some winner take all (primary) .
▪Iowa is the first Caucus (Jan. 3)
▪ “Super Tuesday” (day the most primaries
are held – 10+) in March
▪ Ends the speculation quickly as states’
front load their primary schedule to gain
importance.
•http://www.uspresidentialelectionnews.com/2012-republican-primary-schedule/
▪http://frontloading.blogspot.com/p/2016presidential-primary-calendar.html
Next Step = National
Convention! We will cover this
tomorrow!
White House
Caucus
NATIONAL
CONVENTION
GENERAL
ELECTION
ELECTORAL
COLLEGE
PRIMARY
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1fSvSbOEpM&list=PLA8BD7BD0B5456D37
I Side With…
Answer the questions,
click on more stances
if you are not a Yes or
No…Click on
additional questions
for more accurate
answers. No need to
type your name. Your
results at the end will
be listed. Click on the
Zip Code and change
it to yours so you get
your local candidates.
http://www.isidewith.com/
minnesota-voter-guide