American Government American Government and Organizationand Organization

PS1301PS1301

Wednesday, 8 OctoberWednesday, 8 October

ReviewReview

Office hours todayOffice hours today

The outcome of the California recallThe outcome of the California recall

The Florida DisasterThe Florida Disaster

Florida recount (Florida recount (link to Univ. of Chicago studylink to Univ. of Chicago study))

The punch card voting systemThe punch card voting system

Design of the palm beach ballotDesign of the palm beach ballot

The Butterfly BallotThe Butterfly Ballot

Evidence of problems Evidence of problems in Palm Beach in Palm Beach

Reforming the Electoral CollegeReforming the Electoral College

Winner take all (by Congressional District)Winner take all (by Congressional District)

Proportional Allocation of Electors by StateProportional Allocation of Electors by State

Outcomes with Different MethodsOutcomes with Different Methods

Direct Election of the PresidentDirect Election of the President

Runoff ElectionsRunoff Elections

Alternative Vote/Preference VotingAlternative Vote/Preference Voting

Preference VotingPreference Voting

System is used to elect that nation’s House of System is used to elect that nation’s House of Representatives from single member districts.Representatives from single member districts.

Voters rank their first most preferred candidate Voters rank their first most preferred candidate by marking a “1” their second most favored by marking a “1” their second most favored candidate with a “2” etc…candidate with a “2” etc…

Candidate with the fewest first choices is Candidate with the fewest first choices is eliminated and the ballots for those people who eliminated and the ballots for those people who voted for him are examined to see whom they voted for him are examined to see whom they placed second.placed second.

ExampleExample

Candidate ACandidate A Candidate BCandidate B Candidate CCandidate C

First roundFirst round 4141 4343 1515

Second Second roundround

56 (41+15)56 (41+15) 4343 eliminatedeliminated

What would the outcome have What would the outcome have been with Preference Votingbeen with Preference Voting

PresidencyPresidency

Leadership gravitates to presidents during Leadership gravitates to presidents during crisis, but then dissipates quickly as the crisis, but then dissipates quickly as the crisis recedes.crisis recedes.Source of Power - Delegation of power Source of Power - Delegation of power from Congress and successful presidential from Congress and successful presidential assertions of authority (e.g. War Powers assertions of authority (e.g. War Powers Act 1973)Act 1973)President as commander in chief and President as commander in chief and head diplomathead diplomat

The President and the ConstitutionThe President and the Constitution

The president’s constitutional duties and The president’s constitutional duties and authority as authority as commander in chief, commander in chief, diplomat, diplomat, executive, and executive, and legislator legislator

are found in Article II of the Constitution.are found in Article II of the Constitution.

Emergence of the Modern Emergence of the Modern PresidencyPresidency

Prior to 20Prior to 20thth century, president exercised little century, president exercised little powerpower

Congress was main institution – leadership in Congress was main institution – leadership in policymakingpolicymaking

Growth of federal government and complexity of Growth of federal government and complexity of policy led to increased role for presidentpolicy led to increased role for president

Also, involvement in world warsAlso, involvement in world wars

Staff, resources grew as asserted more power Staff, resources grew as asserted more power (Executive Office of the President)(Executive Office of the President)