Influence and Voting/Elections

Public Opinion

Forming Public Opinion(4) Sources of Public Opinion

• Personal Background• Mass Media • Public Officials • Interest Groups

The Mass Media • Print (newspapers, magazines)• Electronic (radio, television, internet)

Interest Groups• Interest Group – organization that supports a

particular issue.• PAC – political action committee. Raise $ to get

candidates elected.• Lobbyist – person hired by interest group to provide

info and influence politicians.

VOTINGHISTORY

• White Males 21 years of age or older (early US history)

• Black Males (15th Amendment)• Females (19th Amendment)• 18 Years of Age

REGISTERING TO VOTE• Where? – County Offices, DMV

• What? – Proof of Citizenship, Address, & Age – Driver’s License or Birth Certificate

QUALIFICATIONS TO VOTE• 18 Years of age• Resident of state for a specific

amount of time• Citizen of the US• States may deny if you have

committed a serious crime• Cannot vote while in prison

VOCABULARY• Polling Place – location where

people vote• Precinct – a voting district

(geographic area)• Ballot – list of candidates on

which you vote• Returns – counting of ballots• Exit Poll – sample of voters

and how they voted

• Primary Election – an election in which the political parties choose candidate for office to compete in the general election.

• Direct Primary – election in which voters choose candidates for political part in general election.– Closed Primary – only registered members of

political party can vote.– Open Primary – choose party, can only vote in one,

do not have to be a registered member.• Plurality – most votes among those running wins.• Run-Off Primary – if majority is necessary, top (2)

have a run-off• Petition – unaffiliated candidates must get on ballot

by petition.

Types of Elections

ELECTIONSELECTION PROCESS

• Declare Intent to Run for Office

• Primary Election• General Election

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION• Primary Election• General Election• Electoral College

CAMPAIGNS• Canvassing – going door

to door getting info out about candidates

• Endorsements – using celebrities & other politicians to gain support

• Advertising & Image Molding – using television, newspaper, radio, internet to portray candidate a particular way

CAMPAIGN FINANCING• Public Financing –

Presidential Election Campaign Fund - $3 on tax form. 3rd party candidate are eligible if they receive 5% of vote in previous election.

• Private Funding – Individual Citizens, Party Organizations, Corporations, Special Interest Groups, PACs, Soft Money (not particular candidate)