presidential elections

• What must presidential elections follow?

  Strict rules
• What is the timeline for presidential elections?

  • Every four years
  • Parties select candidates in primaries
  • Public votes based on the electoral college system
• What is a requirement for presidential candidates according to the Constitution?

  Must be a natural-born US citizen
• How long must presidential candidates have lived in the USA?

  Over 14 years
• What is the minimum age for presidential candidates?

  Over the age of 35
• What does the 22nd Amendment limit?

  President to two four-year terms
• What is the invisible primary?

  Period before first primaries for candidate preparation
• When do candidates announce their intention to run for president?

  During the invisible primary
• Why do candidates seek media exposure during the invisible primary?

  To increase their recognition
• How many televised debates did Republican candidates have in the 2015-16 invisible primary?

  Seven
• How many televised debates did Democrat candidates have in the 2015-16 invisible primary?

  Ten
• What do candidates do during the invisible primary?

  Put together their campaign team and fundraise
• What are the differences between primaries and caucuses?

  • Primaries: Election to choose candidates, voters cast ballots
  • Caucuses: Meetings to discuss and choose candidates
• What do primary elections choose delegates for?

  National party conventions
• How do states control their primaries or caucuses?

  Each state decides its own process
• What is Super Tuesday?

  A day when many states hold primaries
• What was the first primary in 2016?

  The Iowa caucus
• What is a closed primary?

  Only registered party members can vote
• What is an open primary?

  All registered voters can vote for any candidate
• How are delegates allocated in proportional primaries?

  In proportion to votes won
• What happens in 'winner takes all' primaries?

  Candidate with most votes wins all delegates
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of primaries?

  Advantages:

  • Large choice of candidates
  • Opportunity for outsiders to run

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Long and expensive process
  • Unrepresentative voter demographics
• How many candidates were in the 2016 Republican primary?

  17 candidates
• Why can the primary process be discouraging for candidates?

  It is long, difficult, and expensive
• How much money did Hillary Clinton raise in the 2016 Democrat primary?

  $275 million
• Why might primary voters be unrepresentative of the American population?

  They are often older, wealthier, and more ideological
• How can primaries become personal battles?

  Focus shifts from policies to personal attacks
• What affects voter turnout in primaries?

  Low turnout when a president is re-elected
• What occurs at the national party convention?

  • Party agrees on policies
  • Confirms presidential and vice-presidential candidates
• What is agreed upon at the national party convention?

  A party platform of policies
• How are presidential candidates chosen at the convention?

  By a roll-call vote of delegates
• Why has the roll-call vote become less important?

  Delegates are often committed to candidates
• How is the vice-presidential candidate chosen in recent campaigns?

  Chosen by the president before the convention
• What is the purpose of the televised acceptance speech?

  To gain voter attention
• How much did Bill Clinton's approval ratings increase after his 1992 speech?

  16 percentage points
• How do parties use conventions for unity?

  Defeated candidates support the successful candidate
• How do conventions excite party members and voters?

  Encourages local campaigning and voting
• What are the main processes to elect a US president?

  • Constitutional requirements
  • Invisible primary
  • Primaries and caucuses
  • National Party Conventions
  • Electoral college
• What is a balanced ticket in vice-presidential selection?

  Choosing a running mate for wider appeal
• What is the significance of national party conventions?

  Maintain party unity and enthuse voters