American Government
and Organization
PS1301-164
Monday, 29 September
Review
Midterm and Review Sheet
Discuss Incumbency advantage and the
electoral system
Incumbency Advantage
Decline in Competition
Incumbent Victory Margins
Explanations for Incumbency
Advantage
Name Recognition
Greater resources for staff, travel, local offices,
and communication

In 2001, these allowances ranged from $980,699 to
$1,469,930 per legislator in the House; $1,926,296 to
$3,301,071 in the Senate
Casework
Campaign contributions
Hard work
Electoral Rules
How the Electoral System Can
Reduce Competition
Members of Congress are elected from
states and congressional districts by
plurality vote – that is, whoever gets the
most votes wins (also referred to as first
past the post (FPTP).
Redistricting creates “safe” districts

Senate races are more competitive in part
because states are more diverse, more
balanced party competition
Donovan/Bowler – Reforming the Republic Table 3.1 p49
Congressional Elections
Texas
Democrats %Votes/%Seats
Republicans %Votes/%Seats
Other %Votes/%Seats
1992
1994
1996 1998
2000
50/70
42/63
44/57
44/57
47/57
48/30
56/37
54/43
53/43
49/43
2/0
2/0
2/0
4/0
4/0
Example of votes to seats bias from First past the post elections
Sample Ballot for California Recall
Two Questions


Shall Gray Davis be recalled (removed) from
the office of Governor?
Candidates to succeed Gray Davis as
Governor if he is recalled. Vote for one.
Link to Sample Ballot
Alternatives
Proportional Representation


gives a party a share of seats in the
legislature matching the share of votes it wins
on election day.
Thus voters choose among parties, not
individual candidates
Proportional Representation:
German Bundestag
Generally, vote for
party not candidate
Mixed system – two
votes
Germany and New
Zealand
New Zealand Proportional (Mixed) System
120 members total
About 55 elected by
party vote from one
large national district
Also divided into firstpast-the-post
(plurality winner)
single member
districts (electorate
vote)
Sample Ballot-Primary Election for Mayor or
City Attorney
1st choice
Candidate A
Candidate B
Candidate C
Candidate D
Candidate E
Candidate F
2nd choice
3rd choice
4th choice
5th choice