102609 gov team elections 50m

Welcome Gov Team, boot up, lids down.

Date: 10/30/09, Topic: Elections

Think of items to discuss.

Announcements:Intro Music:

Gov Team Agenda1) Elections

Unit To Dos1) Come up with possible follow up

questions and your possible responses in your unit meetings.

Acquire index cards +a place to put them

Reminder1) Sign up for role meetings online.

Listen babyAin't no mountain highAin't no valley lowAin't no river wide enough, baby

If you need me, call meNo matter where you areNo matter how farDon’t worry baby

Just call out my nameI'll be there in a hurryYou don't have to worry

There ain't no mountain high enoughAin't no valley low enoughAin't no river wide enoughTo keep me from getting to you, baby

Remember the dayI set you freeI told youYou could always count on me darlinAnd from that day onI made a vowI'll be there when you want meSome way, some how

Cause babyThere ain't no mountain high enoughAin't no valley low enoughAin't no river wide enoughTo keep me from getting to you, baby

Followup ProcessA - Answer: Quick answer to their questionS - Story: Background on the issueA - Analysis: Detailed answer to their question (including other POVs)P - Proposal: Recommendation on what should be done(All responses need to be short and spoken slowly. Try to get 3 people on a question, but never all 5).

Unit Intensives: We win, and lose together.Each blue choose 1 person to target

Up (at the table): Unit

Judging (at the judging table): Unit Question List (reg seats): Unit Com List (reg seats): Unit Research Sheet (reg seats): Unit

Debrief (outside): Unit

Unit Hearings: Working together, we win.Speech = 4 minutes, Followup= 8 minutesPresenters (Targets):1) Present your speech and answer followups.2) Take notes on feedback from the coaches.

Coaches (Everyone Else):1) Records feedback to give at the end. 2) Ask the group follow up questions.

Extra Roles1) 1 person to read the question before they start2) 1 person keeps time

Mr. Chiang’s 7 Speech Tips1) 3 Part: Opening>Argument>Closing2) Think of your audience and use local examples3) Stories are remembered4) Cite authoritative evidence5) Call audience to action6) Repetition, pauses, tone7) Speak slowly and make eye contact (you make like looking over heads)

Last, the majority of speech is body language, not words.

Flash Debate

<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ONE-PRO <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<A

B>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> FIVE-CON >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Each side has 4-5 debaters and 2 filters.Everyone fills out papers when they haveideas, and pass them to filters. Filterspass papers to debaters.

Debate Format60 seconds – Talk to Team60 seconds – Opener Pro Side60 seconds – Opener Con Side60 seconds – Rebuttal Pro Side60 seconds – Rebuttal Con Side1 2 3 4 5PRO CON

BO

OK

SH

EL

VE

SC

HIA

NG

’S D

ES

K

1

5

4

6

10

28

37

PURPLE:FILTERS

TV

7

38

SID

E W

HIT

E B

OA

RD

DO

OR

129

11

25

2

19

24

20

21

26

33

3

29

34

22

36

27

31

32

30

3523

18

17

YELLOW:DEBATERS

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T FM T W T F

M T W T F

FILE CABINETS

NOTES:

14

13 15

16

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

M T W T F

8

M T W T F

LCD

38

M T W T F

26

M T W T F

5

M T W T F

Review1) Democratic Party: DEM, Liberal, Left, Donkey,

Blue, 36%2) Republican Party: GOP, Conservative, Right,

Elephant, Red, 24%How to Join: Check box on voter registration form3) Independents: DTS, don’t pick any party, 40%

4) Political Socialization: The strongest to weakest influences on your politics:

a) Family b) Friends c) Orgs/Church d) Class (research is conflicted on if school does anything) Once socialized, you easily accept news that fit

your view, and easily reject news that doesn’t.

2008: GOP/McCain: 46% DEM/Obama: 53%

Pew ResearchMarch 20, 2008

Notes #25a, Title: “Public Opinion Notes” 1) Impact of Age: Ppl tend to start liberal, and getmore conservative. Young Vote 49%, Sr Vote: 70%2) Impact of Gender: Slightly more liberalWomen Vote More 3% Oten DEM 56% GOP 43% 3) Impact Race: White Vote: DEM 43% GOP 55%

Black Vote : DEM 95% GOP 4% (vote 60%)

Latino Vote : DEM 67% GOP 31% (vote 47%)

Asian Vote : DEM 62% GOP 35% (least vote 44%)

4) Impact of Income: Poor more liberal, vote less5) Impact of Religion: Religious more

conservative (except Jewish more liberal)6) Impact of Education: Uneducated and PhD

more liberal. BA/BS educated conservative.

Notes #25a, Title: “Public Opinion Notes” 1) Impact of Age: Ppl tend to start liberal, and getmore conservative. Young Vote 49%, Sr Vote: 70%

Notes #25a, Title: “Public Opinion Notes” 2) Impact of Gender: Slightly more liberalWomen Vote More 3% Often DEM 56% GOP 43%

Notes #25a, Title: “Public Opinion Notes” 3) Impact Race: White Vote: DEM 43% GOP 55%

Black Vote : DEM 95% GOP 4% (vote 60%)

Latino Vote : DEM 67% GOP 31% (vote 47%)

Asian Vote : DEM 62% GOP 35% (least vote 44%)

Notes #25a, Title: “Public Opinion Notes” 4) Impact of Income: Poor more liberal, vote less

Notes #25a, Title: “Public Opinion Notes” 5) Impact of Religion: Religious more

conservative (except Jewish more liberal)

Notes #25a, Title: “Public Opinion Notes” 6) Impact of Education: Uneducated and PhD

more liberal. BA/BS educated conservative.

Notes #25a, Title: “Public Opinion Notes” 7) Impact of Media: Media not effective at

changing views, but very effective and amplifying views we already hold

Follow Up Q: Cable news seems to polarize as much as it informs its viewers, how do we prevent this?

Notes #25a, Title: “Public Opinion Notes” 8) Crisis: Ppl tend to support gov during crisis

Notes #25a, Title: “Polling Notes” 9) Polling: Statistical method to get info on alarger group by asking a random sample of it.a) Develop a list of ALL the people in your

target population b) Number those on that list 1-Xc) Randomly pick (www.randomizer.org) the

numbers you wish to sample (bigger sample = more accurate)

d) Contact everyone randomly selected

Exit Poll: Ask random voters as they leave voting plcFocus Group: Small group questioned in-depthStraw Poll: Non-random, not accurate (often online)Census: Ask everyone, 100% accurate (each 10 yrs)

9) Polling: Statistical method to get info on alarger group by asking a random sample of it.a) Develop a list of ALL the people in your target

population b) Number those on that list 1-Xc) Randomly pick (www.randomizer.org) the

numbers you wish to sample (bigger sample = more accurate)

d) Contact everyone randomly selected

Title “Poll MV”1) Create a Google Form2) Contact the people assigned to you

Polling <Exit PollFocus GroupStraw PollCensus

Polling Exit Poll <Focus GroupStraw PollCensus

Polling Exit PollFocus Group <Straw PollCensus

Polling Exit PollFocus GroupStraw Poll <Census

Polling Exit PollFocus GroupStraw PollCensus <

10) Polling Reliability: 4% error means results can be 4+ or 4-. Error rate depends on sample size and how many of the sample group were successfully reached and if questions’ wording was unbiased.

Example: 9/22 Fox Poll:Obama: 47% Is Really: 43-51%McCain: 43% Is Really: 39-47%

Halo Effect: Ppl say what sounds good (Bradley Effect: Minorities poll higher than what the outcome is in the real vote)

Follow Up Q: Assuming a poll is accurate, should politicians make decisions based on polls?

Title “Wording of Questions”Polls are only as accurate as their questions. A good poll tries to be neutral in wording. A PUSH POLL is purposely bias, because is an ad acting as a poll.

1) Work with your unit, write a unbiased poll question to gauge support for President Obama.2) Work with your unit, write a biased poll question to gauge his support.3) Write a push poll question that plants negative information trying to hurt Obama.

Project Title “National Polls”1) Work with your unit, pick a campaign: Obama or McCain, look over the Ohio polls, and write what the campaign’s policy theme that would appeal to Ohioans (write partner’s name).2) Look over the 2004 exit polls, and determine:Assuming…. Bush=McCain Kerry=Obamaa) Who for sure will back youb) Who might back you if you work for itc) Who will never back you3) Research Ohio and its culture and create for the community slides:i) A bullet slide of their Ohio strategy/messageii) A print campaign ad

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/OH/P/00/epolls.0.html

“Polls Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write

which you choose and explain why.2) Then write down what your partner thinks

(include their name at the end).1 2 3 4 5

CON: Assuming polls are accurate, leaders should still ignore them1) US is a republic, we elect representatives to run the country2) The best leader is someone who leads her ppl to a better place

PRO: Assuming polls are accurate, leaders should follow them1) US is a democracy, so the leaders should follow the ppl’s wishes2) The best leader is someone who puts the needs of the ppl first

Notes #26a, Title: “SIG Notes” 1) Special Interest Groups (SIG): Anygroup/faction of ppl promoting an issue/viewMost numerous are business SIGs. 2) Powers of SIGS: a) Expertise on their topic is most persuasiveb) More free to raise/spend/donate money c) Focus one 1 issued) More free to do bad things (voters don’t punish)3) Political Action Committee (PAC): Any SIG thatdonates money directly to candidates must forma committee in the SIG that is fed. regulated.4) Non-Profit Organization (527): Any SIG canraise/spend unregulated money to attack acandidate (or issue) under policy speech as longas it doesn’t support/coordinate with campaigns

Notes #26a, Title: “SIG Notes” 1) Special Interest Groups (SIG): Anygroup/faction of ppl promoting an issue/viewMost numerous are business SIGs. 2) Powers of SIGs: a) Expertise on their topic is most persuasiveb) More free to raise/spend/donate money c) Focus one 1 issued) More free to do bad things (voters don’t punish)

SIG MATH:If Milk Farming SIG convinced

Congress to pass $1 tax, you lose $1 to help milk farms

150 mil tax payers (50% of US) SIG gets $150 million.

How hard will you fight to not loose $1? How hard will SIG fight to gain $150 million?

PACs can give MAX $5000 to each member of Congress, that’s $2.7 million total, still a profit of $147.3 million.

“Interest Group Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write



CON: SIGs1) Everyone has the right to pool their power and create a counter SIG2) SIG often ask for things that they really need gov help with, and that may benefit everyone like farm help

PRO: Ban SIGs1) SIGs place selfish interest over the community’s interests2) SIG lead to govt spending that waste tax payer money. Unfair to work hard to earn money to just hand over to SIGs.

3) Political Action Committee (PAC): Any SIG thatdonates money directly to candidates must forma committee in the SIG that is fed. regulated.4) Non-Profit Organization (527): Any SIG canraise/spend unregulated money to attack acandidate (or issue) under policy speech as longas it doesn’t support/coordinate with campaigns

5) Non-Political

SIGDoes nothing (Octagon)

PACDonates directly to candidate,

federally regulated (NRA)

Tax Deductible Political (527)

Raises + spends money on their own to promote policy or attack

candidates (Swift Boat Vets)

Non-Tax Deductible

Political

Raises and spends money to more openly support a candidate

(Fireman)

Follow Up Q: If it’s rich people and businesses will want to influence politics no matter what, is it better to have them donate large amounts of money to candidates or to 527s?

Both activities are protected under 1st A, just somemore thanothers. Club (sig)

PAC(regulated)

Candidates

527(unregulated

)

Spend On Their Own

“527 Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write



CON: SIG camp spending should NOT be regulated1) It’s in the better interest to make sure the free speech means free speech, even if unpopula2) Every person/group has the right to be political active (w money)

PRO: SIG camp. spending should be regulated1) It’s in the better interest of the country to make sure voters aren’t being fooled2) Not being regulated means more pol activity is happening on the fringes

Follow Up Q: How do we balance allowing for the freedom of expression (money and advocacy) of special interest groups AND still have a country that operates for the good of everyone?

Notes #29a, Title: “Political Parties Notes” 1) Political Party Structure: Club>County>State>Nata) Be Member: Fill voter reg form to be memberb) Be Party Leader: Elected by active party members2) Party Limits: a) Candidates may not follow party ideasb) Party activities fed. regulated3) Reasons for Creating a Party: a) Ideology (Libertarian Party)b) Specific Issue (Pot Party)c) Protest/Dissatisfaction (Reform Party)4) 3 rd Parties Hardships: a) Only 1 candidate wins, win outright or no prizeb) Less media coverage + voter respectc) GOP and/or DEM can adopt/steal your platformd) Ballot access and public funding

(you need certain % of past votes to get either)

Notes #29a, Title: “Political Parties Notes” 1) Political Party Structure: Club>County>State>Nata) Be Member: Fill voter reg form to be memberb) Be Party Leader: Elected by active party members2) Party Limits: a) Candidates may not follow party ideasb) Party activities fed. regulated

“Party Loyalty Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write



CON: Politicians should defy parties1) Politicians should be loyal to voters not parties2) Being loyal to parties just creates more partisanship and petty competition

PRO: Politicians should be loyal to party1) No victory can be gained by 1 vote alone, party loyalty enhances all party member’s power2) If your party isn’t unified, and the other party is, you’ll suffer

3) Reasons for Creating a Party: a) Ideology (Libertarian Party)b) Specific Issue (Pot Party)c) Protest/Dissatisfaction (Reform Party)4) 3 rd Parties Hardships: a) Only 1 candidate wins, win outright or no prizeb) Less media coverage + voter respectc) GOP and/or DEM can adopt/steal your platformd) Ballot access and public funding

(you need certain % of past votes to get either)

5) Non-Partisan: Most city council and school board races are non-

partisan (party not listed on ballot)

Bush: 48%, Gore: 48%, Nader: 3%

“Third Parties Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write



CON: Third party is a equally worthy vote1) All parties were once 3rd parties id. DEM/GOP2) If people only voted for who they think will win, and not for who they think is best, our democracy is in trouble

PRO: Third party is a wasted vote1) Most the time, only the GOP or DEM can win, so a vote for 3rd is a vote for the other side2) With winner takes all, voting for the loser means your vote doesn’t matter

Green Party: More gov action on environ, peace, poverty (success in SF local elections)

Libertarian Party: Social and economic freedom from gov

Joyce Chen (Green) Jessie Ventura (Reform)New Haven Alderman Minnesota Governor

http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm

Review

1) Creating a Party: Anyone can create a new political party. Party is a club that runs for office. As a private club, parties can set their own rules.

2) How to become a party member: Check box on your voter reg form. Party leaders are chosen by active members or those who give a lot of money.

Notes #36a “Campaign Strategy”1) Win a Election Checklist: 1) Announce Candidacy (File Papers with Reg of

Voters + Send Press Release)2) Visibility (Campaign Signs + Mailers/Flyers + Media: Paid Ads, Web/Facebook, Letters to Editor)3) Find Volunteers (Online, Special Interest Groups)4) Buy Master Voter List, then Tuning List (voter list show party registration + # times voted)5) Phonebank to Find Out Who Supports You,

Undecided, Won’t Support You (Tuning Voter List)6) Until Election Day: Phonebank to PersuadeUndecided and Register New Voters (that are supporters)

7) On Election Day: Get Out the Vote (GOTV) your supporters (those on your voter list who support you). Ignore the rest.

2) Microtarget:Money +Time of Volunteersare Scarce(copy chart)

Increasingvote by mailmeans microtargetmust startearlier.

3) Info Shortcuts: Short on time, voters rely oncues from campaigns and trust ppl to make decisions

4) Negative Ads: Neg reduces voter turnout, but works to hurt target. Too neg can backfire if ad sponsored by candidate. 1st Am protects SIGS (527s) write to launch neg ads with little conseq.

Follow Up Q: Do negative ads hurt democracy or help democracy by providing valuable information for voters?

Work #35a, “Negative Attacks Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write



CON: Negative ads are bad for democracy1) Negative ads don’t inform, they obfuscate (which means they mislead)

2) Negative ads reduce voter turn out and increase gov cynicism

PRO: Negative ads are good for democracy1) Voters don’t have time to research candidates, so we need their opponents to present this

2) This makes sure candidates are tough enough to do the job

Notes #30a, Title: “Primary Notes” 1) Primaries: Voters help chose party’s nominee

(parties don’t have to have prim.)2) Delegates: Delegates are a “middle man” inprimary process, voters choose del > del. choosenominee (del. are politicians + active party ppl)3) Primaries in 4 Steps (Jan-June): a) Each party chooses dates to hold primary

elections + decides how many delegates each state gets

b) After each election, most state’s have delegates awarded proportional to the results.

c) Delegates go to party convention to voted) Who ever gets >50% del. vote is nominee

Notes #30a, Title: “Primary Notes” 1) Primaries: Voters help choose party’s nominee

(parties don’t have to have prim.)

Notes #30a, Title: “Primary Notes” 2) Delegates: Delegates are a “middle man” inprimary process, voters choose del > del. choosenominee (del. are politicians + active party ppl)

3) Primaries in 4 Steps (Jan-June): a) Each party chooses dates to hold primary

elections + decides how many delegates each state gets

b) After each election, most state’s have delegates awarded proportional to the results.

c) Delegates go to party convention to vote (Aug)d) Who ever gets >50% del. vote is nominee

Primary Flow Chart

Primary Elections (Jan-Jun)

Voters Vote

Based on Voter Results, Delegates Pledged to Candidates

Delegates go to Convention (Aug), 50%+ is winner.

Dem: 20% of del. Are super del, pledged to

no one.

Focus most energy on first 2:

IA, NH (Jan)

Gen elec in Nov

Proportional Counting: Unlike the general election, in most states primaries, delegates are given out based on proportion of the results.

Example:CA: 400* DelegatesClinton 75% = 300 CA delegatesObama 25% = 100 CA delegates

So you can loose the majority, and still get delegates. So it really makes no difference if you get 49% or 51% in a primary.

California's Proportional System:DEM: 441 Delegates1) Each congressional district (CD) gets 3-7

delegates based on voter turnout. 2) Each CD’s delegates decided

proportionally (under 15% get none)GOP: 173 Delegates1) Each congressional district (CD) gets 3

delegates. 2) Who wins that CD wins all 3 votes.

Democrats also have something called superdelegates. Powerful members of thedemocratic party are automatically delegates

1800s, there were no primaries. Party leaders chose their nominees.

1900s, Party creates primaries to provide the people a say in the nominations.

When more than one person from a party wants to run, a primary election is held. If not, NO primary.

Lose primary, can always run 3rd Party

4) Iowa and New Hampshire (Jan): Earliest by tradition, give low budget candidates more chance since states are so small (CA: Feb). Other states race to be early.

5) Two Kinds of Primaries:a) Primary: People just vote, no debating.a) Pick up ballot b) Drop off ballot c) CountMost common form (CA) b) Caucus: People debate before voting.a) Pick a corner. b) Debate c) CountLess voters, more party activists vote (IA)

4) Iowa and New Hampshire (Jan): Earliest by tradition, give low budget candidates more chance since states are so small (CA: Feb). Other states race to be early.

February 5, 2008, after Iowa and NH

5) Two Kinds of Primaries:a) Primary: People just vote, no debating.a) Pick up ballot b) Drop off ballot c) CountMost common form (CA)

5) Two Kinds of Primaries: b) Caucus: People debate before voting.a) Pick a corner. b) Debate c) CountLess voters, more party activists vote (IA)

Caucus: People debate before voting.1) Pick a corner 2) Debate 3) Count

Primary: People just vote, no debating.1) Pick up ballot 2) Drop off ballot 3) Count

Iowa Caucus (Jan 3): 50* delegatesCaucus people debate in a townhall before voting.New Hampshire Primary (Jan 8): 20* delegatesPrimary people vote without talking.Together, less than 1% of the population.

“Primary Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write



CON: Big State/All State

1) Big states deserve more say

2) It’s chaos if everyone races to be after NH/IA

3) Iowa and New Hampshire don’t reflect a lot of America

PRO: Small States 1st

1) Small states take it seriously

2) Small states are cheap allow more to try to run

3) Iowa and New Hampshire are the heart of America

“Strategy Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write



CON: McCain – Spend All on First 2

1) Focus on IA and NH

2) No one has ever won nomination without winning those two.

PRO: Giuliani – All States

1) Run a national campaign to build

2) By focusing in bigger states early, you are getting bigger prizes (states with more del), IA + NW is only 1%

Notes #32a, Title: “Primary Notes” 1)


Voters Vote

Based on Voter Results, Delegated Pledged to Candidates



no one.


IA, NH (Jan)

Gen elec in Nov

2) Party Convention (Aug): Who ever gets a majority (>50%) delegates wins. DEM: 2000/4000* GOP 1000/2000*

3) Contested Convention (Aug)If no one can get to the 50% on first vote, then delegates are released to vote however they want.

4) Primary Voters: Primaries draw more extreme party members, candidates start

extreme, and go moderate during gen elec

Project Title “Primary Campaign”1) Research your assigned candidate AND study the state assigned you.Cand: 1-McCain, 2-Romney, 3-Paul, 4-Biden, 5-Clinton, 6-ObamaOrder: 1-3-IA (C), 4-6-NH2) Create Google slides on your state strategy:i) Docs bullet slide of their state strategyii) A print campaign ad, post in Docs3) Prepare one person to go debate.

Notes #33a, Title: “Primary Notes” 1) Who can vote in the primary?1) Closed Ballot: Only registered party

members can vote.2) Open Ballot: Any registered voter can

request ONE primary ballot3) CA: DEM open to DTS if they request

DEM ballot, GOP closed, only GOP.4) Open Primary: Just 1 primary, any

voter can vote, regardless of party, top 2 move to general election regardless of party (on June ballot)

“Open Primary Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write



CON: Keep Closed Prim

1) Party’s are semi-private and should be allowed to control the process

2) Open prim means more contested general election (more expensive)=more corrupt

PRO: Open Primary

1) Most voters are DTS (decline to state)

2) Allows minority (in Cup., the GOP) to influence election by voting for a moderate DEM, open prim moderates politics

Review:


Voters Vote

Based on Voter Results, Delegated Pledged to Candidates



no one.


IA, NH (Jan)

Gen elec in Nov

Notes #34a, Title: “General Election Notes” 1) General Election (Nov): Primary winner from each

party (including 3rd parties) fight. Ppl Vote > Electoral College Votes > Winner 2) Electoral College (EC) (Dec): Constitutionally

created a safety check. Each state legislatures picks ppl to be electors (538). EC electors pledge to vote how state’s voters voted.

3) EC Representation: Each state gets # of electors equal to # US Senators (2) + # of US House members (53). Total: 100+435+3 for DC=538

4) General Election is Winner Takes All (270): Unlike primaries, general elec is winner takes all. If someone wins plurality (more than others) of the voters, they get ALL that state’s electoral votes.

Notes #34a, Title: “General Election Notes” 1) General Election (Nov): Primary winner from each

party (including 3rd parties) fight. Ppl Vote > Electoral College Votes > Winner

Notes #34a, Title: “General Election Notes” 2) Electoral College (EC) (Dec): Constitutionally

created a safety check. Each state legislatures picks ppl to be electors (538). EC electors pledge to vote how state’s voters voted.

Notes #34a, Title: “General Election Notes” 3) EC Representation: Each state gets # of electors

equal to # US Senators (2) + # of US House members (53). Total: 100+435+3 for DC=538

House: 435

Senate: 100

DC: 3

435+100+3=538

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/calculator/

Notes #34a, Title: “General Election Notes” 4) General Election is Winner Takes All (270): Unlike

primaries, general elec is winner takes all. If someone wins plurality (more than others) of the voters, they get ALL that state’s electoral votes.

5) Electoral College Numbers: House (435)+ Senate (100)+DC (3)=538. Over 50% to win the EC. 538/2=269. 269+1=270. So 270/538 to win.

House: 435

Senate: 100

DC: 3

435+100+3=538538/2=269=50%, 270/538=50.1%


Barbara Lett-Simmons (2000)

POPULATION ECUS 296,410,404 538

California 36,553,215 55

Texas 23,904,380 34

New York 19,297,729 31

North Dakota 639,715 3

Vermont 621,254 3

Wyoming 522,830 3

“Electoral College Debate”1) Read the 2 sides, choose 1 side, and write



CON: Ditch the EC

1) EC makes candidates ignore really liberal or conservative states

2) CA, biggest state totally ignored, give each voter equal voice

3) It’s confusing

PRO: Keep the EC

1) Its worked so far (kinda)

2) Small states get at least 3 EC, they need an amplified voice

3) One day we might need the safety check

Project Title: “EC Strategy”1) Read the 00-04 chart at PbWorks with a unit and create 3 list (Impossible, Loyal, and Swing based on %), continue to list until you get to 270 in your Loyal and Swing for either McCain or Obama.Everyone must create a spreadsheet!


Kerry: 252, Bush: 286, Ohio: 20

“Debate Prep”

1) List the techniques mentioned by TJ Walker. Practice each technique with your partner from your unit.

Project Title: “Unit Debates”

Unit 1 v 2: LeadershipUnit 3 v 4: Foreign PolicyUnit 5 v 6: EconomyPrepare to have your units debate each other on this topic.

Wager: ?

Notes #38a, Title: “Congressional Elections Notes” 1) Incumbency Rate: Rate that person in office is reelected, incumbents raise more money+name ID2) House Races (Every 2 Years): Avg Cost: 1 Million. Incumbency Rate: 98% (rely more on PAC)3) Senate Races (Every 6 Years): Avg Cost: 3-6

Million. Incumbency Rate: 88%4) Midterm Elections: H+S races happen each

presidential election, but also each even yr between pres. election, your vote for congress (and state/local candidates) matters!

The last Cupertino City Council race and school measure passed with less than 400 votes! One day CA may become a contested swing state, especially if a CA politician runs for president.

Annually…$120 Billion for Medicine for Seniors

If spend on college students….Given there are 12 Million College Students$10,000 Tuition Credit For Every Student

Local TuitionUC $8,000 (leaving $2,000 for books, misc)CSU $3,800 (leaving $6,200 for books, misc)Top Cooking School (CIA) $11,000 (many much cheaper)Top Mechanic School (UTI) $15,000 (many much cheaper)

HOW CAN GOVT NOT HAVE MORE IMPACT THAN THAT?

NOT TO MENTION THE GOV…TAKES 1/4-1/3 OF YOUR PAYCHECKGOV DECIDES HOW YOUR CREDIT CARDS, CELL PHONE CONTRACTS, & LOANS WORKYOUNG PPL MAKE UP OUR MILITARYGOV FUNDS OR NOT FUNDS ALT. ENERGY AND MEDICAL RESEARCHGOV DECIDES WHAT’S LEGAL OR ILLEGALGOV CAN REGULATE WHAT YOU CONSUME, WHO YOU CAN BE WITH, WHAT YOU CAN DO

You don’t vote because politicians don’t respond to you.

Politicians don’t respond to you because you don’t vote.

So your generation needs to vote!

Adults like all human beings worry about themselves, we need you to stand up for your future, which is well being of America’s future.

102609 gov team elections 50m

News & Politics