2305+-+Elections

= Power Points =



= Description =

Elections are the key political feature of the American republic. They have multiple facets and are interwoven into the fabric of the governing institutions on each level of American government. The existence of elections also led to the development of political parties - the principle political institutions in the US.

In this section we become familiar with the basic features of elections in the United States.

= Goals =

After reading through the material above, you should be able to address the following questions:

- What is an election and what do they do? What types of decisions are made through elections in the US? - Do all governing systems have elections? If so, why? - What are the significant aspects of democratic elections? - What is the difference between a direct and indirect election? Be able to define them and distinguish one from the other. - What did Madison say about the problems of direct elections? - What electoral schemes does the US Constitution establish? Why? Why not elect people to office the same way? - Be familiar with the unique aspects of House, Senate and Presidential elections in the US. - Be familiar with the electoral college. - What impact did the 17th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act have on elections in the US? - Also be familiar with the purpose underlying the appointment process for the federal courts? Why is it designed the way it is? What does this tell us about what impact the general population is meant to have on the operations of the government. - What is a winner take all election and what impact do they have on the electoral process? - What makes governing systems with proportional representation different from the American systems? - What is an initiative, referendum and recall election? - What does the US Constitution say about suffrage? What roles are states allowed to play in the electoral process? - What does the US Constitution say about districts and how they should be drawn? Why was Baker v Carr argued to be a significant Supreme Court case? - What does the US Constitution state about who can and cannot vote? - Be familiar with the differences between general and primary elections. Be able to explain how candidates for the presidency have been selected over time and the factors that have led to occasional changes. - What do we know about voter turnout in the US? Who votes and why? - What is gerrymandering? What impact is it alleged to have on the governing process? - What role does the Texas Government play in the electoral process?

= Key Terms =

- direct elections - indirect elections - primary elections - poll tax - suffrage - 17th Amendment - gerrymandering - majority tyranny - winner take all - polarization - proportional representation - initiative - referendum - recall - apportionment - redistricting