Distinctive Features of American Electoral Politics
1.
Fixed intervals
rhythm and planning ahead  endless campaigns?
breathing room
divorced from policy performance and public opinion
2.
Winner-take-all, single member districts,
typically with plurality winners
(exceptions: southern run-offs, EC, etc.)
minor parties are irrelevant
3.
Consequences:
-two large heterogeneous parties
-internal negotiation and moderation
-convergence on the median voter (?)
4.
Primary elections transform parties
the rise of the direct primary and the eclipse of party organizations
the caucus system for nominating candidates
advantages and disadvantages: what role conventions?
5.
Campaign finance
1. FECA of 1971 and its amendments: FEC, contribution
limits, PACs, federal funding of presidential elections
2. McCain-Feingold (BCRA) goal is to close loopholes:
eliminate soft money
restrict issue advocacy ads
increase contribution limits
3. The challenge: campaign finance regulation with free speech
Supreme Court has recognized this will be an ongoing challenge
6.
The Electoral College
-state electors=size of state congressional delegation
-electors chosen “in such manner as the legislature
thereof may direct”
-the Nov. election chooses electors
-nomination of electors
-the winner must win a majority of the Electors (or else
the House decides)
7.
“Problem 1”: faithless elector problem
8.
“Problem 2”: popular vote winner need not win
9.
Effect 1: exaggerated vote for winner
-a manufactured landslide?
10. Effect 2: bias toward SMALLEST states
-smallest state receives three electoral votes
11. Effect 3: the LARGE state bias
-every candidate’s nightmare: losing California by 1 vote
12. Effect 4: the competitive state bias
-why don’t candidates come to California anymore?
11. Reform proposal 1: bind the electors
12. Reform proposal 2: proportionally divide the electors
13. Reform proposal 3: direct vote with a runoff if needed
14. Direct vote problems: weakens two parties, weakens
federalism, weakens states
15. As goes Maine, so goes Nebraska!