State and Local Government Exam Notes

State and Local Government Notes

Elections Overview

  • Elections in Representative Democracy

  • Essential for the functioning of democracy.

  • Involves citizens’ participation in the political process.

  • Decentralized Election Administration System in the U.S.

  • Variability across states affects consistency in elections.

  • Positives: Experimentation and innovation in electoral processes.

  • Negatives: Risk of inconsistency and mismanagement.

  • Elections typically administered at the county level, but can vary by state.

Election Administration Strucure

  • 34 States have unified election administration.

  • 26 States: Administrative responsibility held by a single individual (e.g. county clerk).

  • 8 States: Managed by bipartisan boards or commissions.

  • 16 States: Shared responsibilities among multiple entities.

Election Cycles

  • 2024 Cycle:

  • Federal: President, all House of Representatives, 1/3 of Senate.

  • State: Texas Railroad Commissioner, Board of Education, etc.

  • Local: 15 offices up for election in Arlington.

  • Subsequent Cycles: 2026, 2028, 2030, with various federal, state, and local elections slated.

Types of Elections

Primary Elections

  • Purpose: Select party nominees for the general election.

  • Types of Primary Elections:

  • Fully Closed: Only registered party members can vote.

  • Partially Closed: Unaffiliated voters can participate.

  • Partially Open: Voters must declare their choice publicly.

  • Open to Unaffiliated Voters: Allows open participation among unaffiliated voters.

  • Fully Open: Any voter may choose any primary without declaring.

Runoff Elections

  • Definition: A second election for candidates with the highest votes when no majority is achieved.

  • Variety in States: Differences in regulations regarding runoff elections based on laws, political considerations, and historical practices.

Nonpartisan Elections

  • Characteristics: No party labels; common for judges and local positions.

  • Implications: Candidates must engage in activities typically associated with political parties.

Special Elections & Recall Elections

  • Recall: Mechanism for removing elected officials before their term ends; allowed in 19 states, primarily at the local level.

  • Impeachment vs. Recalls: Different processes and implications for removal.

Ballots

  • Definition: The method by which voters express their preferences, can be in paper or electronic format.

  • Types of Ballots:

  • Paper

  • Electronic

  • Absentee

  • Ballots May Include:

  • Initiatives, Constitutional Amendments, Referendums, Candidate selections.

State-Wide Politicians

  • Key Positions:

  • Governor: Chief executive.

  • Lieutenant Governor: Replaces governor as needed.

  • Attorney General: Top legal officer.

  • Treasurer: Manages state treasury.

  • Secretary of State: Responsible for state records and election oversight.

  • Auditor: Evaluates public funds management.

Local-Level Politicians

  • Roles Include:

  • County Executive, Mayor, Chief of Police, County Sheriff, City Attorney, City Council Members, County Commissioners.

Types of Elections Defined

  • General Election: Winners complete their terms.

  • Primary Election: Winners go to general election as party candidates.

  • Midterm Election: Takes place mid-way through the presidential term.

  • Nonpartisan Election: No party labels appear on the ballot.

  • Recall Election: Aims to remove elected officials.

  • Runoff Election: Conducted when no majority is attained.

Civic Participation

  • Definition: Involvement in government at local, state, and national levels.

  • Active Participation Examples:

  • Voting, engaging in demonstrations, contacting officials, mobilizing voters, running for office.

  • Passive Participation Examples: Ignoring political processes, leading to exclusion in policy-making.

Factors Impacting Non-Participation

Individual Factors

  • Income Level: Lower income correlates with lower participation.

  • Education Level: Lower education leads to lower engagement.

  • Race, Gender, Age: Varying participation rates among demographic groups.

  • Common Reasons for Non-Voting: Lack of interest in candidates/issues, busy schedules, illness, registration problems.

Institutional Factors

  • Barriers: Voter registration requirements, ID laws, voting hours/access, electoral competition, complicated ballots, lack of voter education, language barriers, widespread political apathy.

Voter Turnout

  • Definition: Percentage of eligible voters who participate in elections.

  • Voting Age Population (VAP) and Voting Eligible Population (VEP): Definitions that help analyze turnout statistics.

  • Statistics:

  • 2020 General Election: 64% turnout.

  • 2022 Midterm Elections: 46% turnout.

  • Primaries: Roughly 20% turnout.

Factors Contributing to Voter Turnout

  • Presidential Elections: Higher turnout due to increased interest and mobilization.

  • Electoral Competitiveness: Close elections drive higher voter engagement.

  • Party Mobilization & Ideology: Active political parties fostering engagement lead to higher participation.

  • Political Culture: States with moralistic political cultures tend to see higher voter turnout.