US Politics - Democracy and Participation

Electoral College

the system utilised in the US to elect a president. In this system, candidates vote for delegates who then vote on their behalf.

President

Head of the Executive Branch

Presidential Primary

an election in which a party's voters decide their party's candidate for president (very competitive example was in 2016 between Sanders and Clinton)

invisible primary

Informal raising of support, money and media attention for candidates before first primaries

party convention

national meeting where a party formally selected its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

soft money

funds obtained by political parties that are spent on party activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, but not on behalf of a specific candidate. INDIRECT AND UNLIMITED

hard money

campaign contributions donated directly to candidates

PACS

political action committees which directly raise money for a election campaign

Super PACs and what case allowed their proliferation

less regulated PACs where indirectly fund campaign efforts (e.g through issue ads). Citizens United vs FEC gave corporations the right to spend an unlimited amount

How much did PACs raise in 2020

$3.5b

what 3 issues affect campaign finance in the US

transparency, corruption and unbalanced political competition.

how much did the 2024 election cost

14bn (down from 18b in 2020)

who receives campaign donations

national parties, super PACS (e.g Trumps Restore Our Future) or directly to a candidate.

Give an example of funding affecting policy

Furthermore the Sunlight Foundation highlighted how 42 of the 45 senators who subsequently opposed gun control measures in 2013, to extend background checks on those purchasing firearms, received funds from gun lobbyists

why is campaign finance hard to refor

political completions (arms race where neither wants to give up their advantage), constitutional limits, practical realities

give an example of political competition affecting reform

From 2000 to 2016, FEC matched fundraising (would match X amount of donation given candidate agrees to spending limits) went from 240 mil to just 1 mil. means incumbent spend time building "war chests" when elected due to cost and frequency of elections. only wealthy can run for office

give a example of political competition meaning reforms don't need to be enacted

cost is falling (ish) 2020 18b to 2024 just 14b

give an example of conditional restraints preventing reform (the court case)

first amendment right to free speech. Buckley v Valeo ruled that donations count AS free speech. most reforms are eradicated w/ court cases - only thing that would change would be amendments in constitution.

when was the last amendment of constitution

1992 - 27th over how pay rises work for senators and representatives

why m

way to engage in politics, reinforce rights of Americans

what practical limitations impact finance

McConnell vs FEC justices said that "money like water will always find an outlet" continuously legal loopholes (e.g post 1970 movement to soft money) is it culture that must change?

why might the influence of money be overstated on elections?

millions are spent on LOSING candidates e.g American Crossroads only achieve desired outcomes 1.5% of time despite spending 150 mil.

what concerns were raised about super PACs in 2012 elections

top 1% of donors responsible for 70% of money

when was the Federal Election Campaign Act and why was it passed

1974 in response to Watergate

what did the FECA 1974 establish?

created federal election commission to enforce finance law, set limits of campaign donations, created federal maychingy funding, set spending limits and required disclosure of donors

what were the limits of FECA

soft money > allowed for party building activities and exploited

Buckley v Valeo ruled spending caps on elections were unconstitutional

When was the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in response to

2002 in response to Enron Scandal