campaign elections quiz 1

federalism and independent state legislature theory

causes gerrymandering and voter restrictions since individual states have power over their elections

voting processes?

voting rules decided by state for example felons cant vote, residency requirements, and time requirements

did the motor voter act help

a little bit but turnout stayed around the same

state barriers to voting

Grandfather clause, literacy test, patriotism test, poll taxes

states opinion on voter restrictions

argued that they were not barriers to voting but reasonable things like revenue and having informed voters

why was the voting rights act of 1965 enacted

to get rid of voting barriers

preclearance

certain states had to get approval from justice department to change voting laws

what case struck down preclearance

shelby county v holder

modern barriers to voting

harder to register, voter id

Baker v carr

redistricting can be ruled on by judges, before it was a legislative/political issue

wesberry vs sanders

districts equal in population

reynolds v sims

unequal district populations violate one person one vote principle

shaw vs reno

racially gerrymandered districts can be challenged under the 14th amendment

moore vs harper

rejects independent state legislature theory, legislatures still accountable to state constitutions and judicial decisions

Merrill/Allen vs Milligan

upholds section 2 of voting rights act, must redraw districts to reflect black population

supreme court remands case and outcome is the same?

sometimes the sc decides precedent and sends it back down where it gets the same ruling

what helps with districting controvery

nonpartisan commissions that draw the maps

what did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002) do

o Soft money ban - national parties can't raise unlimited party funds

o Electioneering ads- no corporate/union money for ads naming candidates 30 days before primaries, 60 days before general elections

o Stand by your ad - candidates must approve their ads

o Higher hard-money limits- indexed to inflation

what is still intact from the BCRA

party soft money ban, disclaimers and disclosures

what was struck down from the BCRA

corporate union ad ban, millionaires amendment, party coordinated spending limits

what was the millionaires amendment

when a wealthy candidate self-funded their campaign, laws on the opponent were loosened,

when and what case killed the millionaires amendment

davis v FEC 2008

when and what case ended the corporate union ad ban

citizens united 2010

the bcra mostly survived

mcconnell v fec

when and what case shot down party coordinated spending

NRSC v FEC 2026

In short what happened with the BCRA possible short answer

soft money ban survived, limits on outside spending mostly did not

What is a super pac (sa)

independent-expenditure-only committee that supports or opposes candidates

when were super pacs born

citizens united 2010

what can super pacs do

raise unlimited sums from individuals corporations and unions and spend unlimited amounts on ads and mobilization

what can super pacs not do

give directly to candidates or parties, coordinate with campaigns, hide donors from the fec

who can fund dark money

nonprofits

the debate around super pacs

free speech and independent spending vs outsized influence for megadonors

why is money necessary in campaigns

to buy ads staff data polling and travel, for name recognition, and for other race costs

how much to races cost now

millions

name recognition is harder for

challengers

raising money in campaigns is problematic because

time fundraising instead of governing, money for favors corruption, favors incumbents and wealthy donors, and dark money reduces accountability

who give to campaigns

individuals pacs parties super pacs and self-funders

why do entities give to elections

ideology, access, protecting interests, and baking likely winners

Election Money alternative: Public financing

pros: less donor reliance

cons: costly and candidates opt out

election money alternative: small donor matching

pros: broader base

cons: complex, still needs money

election money alternative: tighter limits

pros: curb corruption

cons: first amendment limits, money shifts

What do all candidates need in a campaign

money

what is the median voter theory

malleable voters in the middle that can switch and cater to those voters. what are the policies to sway them to your side?

How candidates are chosen?

self starters and recruits, primaries, caucuses, and conventions

self starters and recruits

people decide to run, parties and groups recruit

primaries

voters choose the party nominee

what is the most common way candidates are chosen

primaries

caucuses

local party meetings, discussions, then a public vote

conventions

delegates formally nominate, but mostly ceremonial now

primary laws and systems by state

closed, open, semi-closed, top two/blanket, and runoffs

closed primary

only registered party members vote

open primary

any voter picks a party ballot

semi-closed primary

party members plus unaffilliated voters

top two/blanket primary

one ballot, top two advance (CA, WA, LA)

Runoff primary

required in some states if there is not majority

key idea about primaries

states set primary rules, so elections look different across all states

State and local elections characteristics

term limits can vary

tools of state and local elections

referendums and intiatives, state court elections, superpacs

where have superpacs been most effective

state and local races

us term limits v thorton

congressional term limits have to come from federal and not state level