US Presidential Elections Overview

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Questions and Answers

The first presidential election took place in 1799.

False (B)

The constitution mandates that a presidential election be held every 5 years.

False (B)

A candidate running for president must be a natural-born US citizen.

True (A)

A candidate must be at least 40 years old to run for president.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The youngest president ever was Ronald Reagan, who was 43.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The invisible primary is the period after the primaries and caucuses have taken place.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The invisible primary was coined by Arthur T. Hadley.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Televised party debates are known for their serious policy discussions.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

National party conventions are held every three years.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

One of the formal functions of national party conventions is to promote party unity.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The party platform decided at national conventions is a detailed, exact policy manifesto.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The national convention can be a time used to heal a party that has been disunited after the primaries and caucus.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Opinion polls typically show that national conventions give a very large 'bounce' to presidential candidates.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Joe Biden was the leading fund raiser during the 2020 democrat invisible primary.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The candidate who is leading in the polls before the primaries and caucuses usually becomes the nominee.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In 2016, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump followed the typical pattern of early front-runners becoming the eventual nominees.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Presidential caucuses involve a state-based election to choose a party's candidate for the presidency.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Caucuses typically have a higher voter turnout compared to primaries.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Primaries are designed to select delegates who will go to the national party conventions.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An open primary is a primary where only voters registered in a particular party can vote in that party's primary.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When the incumbent president is running for re-election, primaries for the president's party generally receive significant media coverage.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is the 'invisible primary'?

The period before the first primary elections when candidates announce their intention to run and try to build momentum through media appearances, fundraising and polling.

What is fundraising's role in the invisible primary?

A candidate's financial resources, often referred to as a "war chest" in the context of an election. Money is essential for advertising, campaigning and securing support, which contributes to better polling results and further fundraising.

Why is media exposure vital during the invisible primary?

A candidate's ability to gain visibility in the media, engage with the public, and build their image through newspaper articles, television interviews, and social media presence.

How are presidential candidates chosen in the US?

The process by which US Presidential candidates are chosen through primaries and caucuses, culminating in a national convention where the party's nominee is officially selected.

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What's the difference between primaries and caucuses?

Primaries are direct elections by a state's voters to choose their preferred candidate for a political party's nomination. Caucuses are more local meetings where registered voters gather to express their support for a candidate.

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What are the constitutional requirements for becoming President?

The age, birthplace, and residency requirements for a candidate to be eligible to run for President of the United States. These are outlined in the Constitution.

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What amendment limited the number of Presidential terms?

The constitutional amendment that restricted presidential terms to a maximum of two, limiting a president's time in office to eight years.

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Describe the role of televised party debates during the campaign.

Televised debates among candidates within the same political party, aimed at showcasing their views and attracting voters. While intended for policy discussions, they are often criticized for focusing more on soundbites and less on substance.

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National Party Convention

The formal gathering of a political party held every four years to select presidential and vice-presidential candidates and establish the party platform.

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Choosing the party's presidential candidate

The process where delegates from each state vote to choose the party's presidential nominee.

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Party Platform

A document that outlines the party's position on various issues and its vision for the future.

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Enthusing party faithful and voters

The process of boosting support for the party among its members and potential voters in order to increase enthusiasm for the upcoming election.

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Promoting party unity

The role of the National Party Convention in uniting the party members after a potentially contentious primary season.

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Presidential Primary

An election held in each state to choose a party's presidential candidate.

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Presidential Caucuses

A series of state-based meetings where registered voters choose their party's presidential candidate.

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Closed Primary

Primaries where only registered members of a particular party can vote.

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Open Primary

Primaries where any registered voter can vote in either party's election.

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Invisible Primary

The period before the primary elections and caucuses, where candidates compete for support and financial resources.

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Front-Runner

A candidate who is leading in polls and expected to win the primaries and caucuses.

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Caucus Turnout

A caucus where voter turnout is generally lower, and participants tend to be more ideological.

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Primary and Delegate Selection

Primaries often focus on choosing delegates who will represent the state at the national party conventions.

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Study Notes

US Presidential Elections

  • First presidential election in 1788
  • Presidential elections occur every four years
  • Presidential election process is a seven-stage process
  • Invisible primary: Period between candidates announcing their candidacy and the first primaries/caucuses.
  • Candidates in this phase aim to build name recognition, raise funds, and gain media attention.

Constitutional Requirements for US Presidents

  • Natural-born US citizen
  • At least 35 years old
  • 14 years residency in the U.S.
  • Limited to two terms (8 years)

The Invisible Primary

  • Period between candidates declaring their candidacy and the first primaries/caucuses
  • Candidates work to build support and name recognition
  • Candidates use social media, media appearances, and televised debates
  • Candidates' announcements are a crucial aspect of the invisible primary
  • Incumbents usually announce their second term bid midway through their first term.

Primaries and Caucuses

  • Presidential primary: State-based election to choose party's candidate for president
  • Presidential caucuses: State-based meetings to choose party's candidate for president
  • Caucused turnout is generally lower than in primaries, and voters tend to be more ideologically driven compared to primary voters.
  • Primaries determine the popularity of the presidential candidates
  • Primaries choose delegates to attend national party conventions.

Televised Party Debates

  • Intra-party televised debates between candidates
  • Often more focused on sound bites than policy
  • Candidates engage in media-driven campaigns
  • Candidates work hard to accumulate funds during the invisible primary
  • Money from donors or interest groups, self-funding.

Fundraising

  • Invisible primary candidates must accumulate funds
  • Money is used for advertisement, campaigning, and to boost poll ratings
  • Candidates can self-finance or seek funding from individuals and interest groups
  • Front-runners often accumulate significant funds which doesn't guarantee victory.

Front-Runners

  • Candidates who lead in polls before primaries
  • The front-runner usually becomes the party's nominee
  • In some US Presidential Elections, the front-runner doesn't always win the election.

National Party Conventions

  • Meetings held every four years by major political parties
  • Used to select presidential and vice-presidential candidates
  • Conventions are a forum for the official selection of candidates
  • Conventions used to formally discuss party platforms.

Are Conventions Pointless?

  • Some argue that political conventions have decreased in importance
  • Political conventions can be an opportunity to promote party unity, enthuse members, and motivate voters.

Types of Primaries

  • Open primary: Any registered voter can vote in either party's primary.
  • Closed primary: Only registered party members can vote in their party's primary

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