U.S. Political System and Elections

Political System

• Federalism, Division of Powers, Checks and Balances

• Democrats and Republicans

• Elections of the President

• The Most Significant Presidents and Their Contributions to American Society

Federalism

• Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central (federal) government and regional (state or local) governments.

• Both levels of government operate independently within their areas of authority but also share certain responsibilities.

• Powers of the Federal Government:

  • Defense and Military – Maintaining armed forces

  • Foreign Policy – Treaties, diplomacy, immigration

  • Interstate and International Commerce – Regulating trade between states and other countries

  • Currency – Printing and regulating money

  • Postal Services – Managing mail delivery

  • Patents and Copyrights – Protecting intellectual property

• Powers of State Governments:

  • Education – Schools, curriculum, and universities

  • Police & Public Safety – Local law enforcement and emergency services

  • Health & Welfare – Public health, hospitals, and social programs

  • State Infrastructure – Roads, highways, and local transportation

  • Local Governance – City, and county government structures

• Shared Powers:

  • Tax citizens

  • Establish courts

  • Build infrastructure

  • Create and enforce laws

  • Regulate businesses

The Structure of the U.S. Government

• Legislative Branch:

  • Makes the Country's Laws

  • Congress: House of Representatives and Senate

• Executive Branch:

  • Administers the Country

  • The President

  • Vice-President

  • Secretaries appointed by the President

• Judicial Branch:

  • Explains and interprets the Laws and the Constitution

  • The Supreme Court

  • Appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate

• N.B. The rules and arrangements for the Government of the U.S.A. shown here are laid down in the Constitution. This written document defines and limits the powers of the Federal Government and divides them between the Government's three main branches - Legislative, Executive and Judicial.

Checks and Balances in the U.S. Government

• Checks and Balances is a system in which each branch of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, has the power to limit the actions of the other branches.

• This prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful and ensures a balance of power.

• The Founding Fathers included this system in the U.S. Constitution to:

  • Prevent tyranny

  • Protect individual rights

  • Maintain the separation of powers

Branches of Government

• Legislative Branch (Congress: House of Representatives and Senate): Makes laws

  • Approves the federal budget

  • Regulates commerce

  • Declares war

• Executive Branch (President and Cabinet): Enforces laws

  • Commands the military

  • Signs or vetoes laws

  • Appoints federal officials

• Judicial Branch (Supreme Court and Lower Courts): Interprets laws

  • Reviews laws for constitutionality

  • Resolves disputes

How the Legislative Branch Checks the Executive Branch

• Overrides Vetoes – If the president vetoes a bill, Congress can override it with a $2/3$ majority vote.

• Approves Appointments – The Senate must confirm presidential appointments (e.g., Supreme Court justices).

• Impeachment Power – Congress can remove the president through impeachment.

• A U.S. President can be impeached (formally charged by Congress) for committing serious offenses as outlined in Article II, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution:

  • The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

• Examples of Impeached Presidents

  • Andrew Johnson (1868)

    • Reason: Violated the Tenure of Office Act by firing a Cabinet member without Senate approval.

    • Outcome: Acquitted (Senate vote fell 1 short of conviction).

  • Bill Clinton (1998)

    • Reason: Perjury & obstruction of justice (lied under oath about his affair with Monica Lewinsky).

    • Outcome: Acquitted by Senate.

  • Donald Trump (2019 & 2021)

    • Reason: Abuse of power & obstruction of Congress (Ukraine scandal). Incitement of insurrection (Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021).

    • Outcome: Acquitted both times by Senate.

  • Richard Nixon (1974) would have been impeached for the Watergate scandal, but he resigned before the House could vote.

How the Executive Branch Checks the Legislative Branch

• Veto Power – The President can reject bills passed by Congress

• Executive Orders – The President can issue orders that bypass Congress (though they can be challenged)

• Commander-in-Chief – The President controls the military, but Congress declares war.

• Example: President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued executive orders to create New Deal programs during the Great Depression.

How the Judicial Branch Checks the Legislative and Executive Branches

• Judicial Review – The Supreme Court can strike down laws or executive actions if they violate the Constitution

• Lifetime Appointments – Justices serve for life, preventing political influence

Roe V. Wade

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• Roe v. Wade (1973) → Overturned in 2022

• The court ruled on abortion laws, showing how it can shape policy.

• Norma L. McCorvey (using the pseudonym Jane Roe) was a single pregnant woman seeking an abortion. She argued that she had been conceived during rape and invoked the right to an abortion under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

• A Texas court granted her request, citing Section 1196, which authorized abortion only to protect the life of the mother.

• Jane Roe's case then went to the Supreme Court, which ruled 7-2 that the Texas law violated the Constitution under the 14th Amendment.

• On June 24, 2022, the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision officially overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing individual states to ban or regulate abortion.

Democrats

• The donkey became associated with the Democratic Party during the 1828 presidential campaign of Andrew Jackson. His opponents called him a "jackass" (a donkey) as an insult, but Jackson embraced the symbol, seeing it as a representation of strength, determination, and resilience.

• The famous political cartoonist Thomas Nast helped cement the donkey as the Democratic symbol in the 1870s.

• Over time, the donkey came to symbolize qualities such as humility, hard work, and persistence. It also represents the party’s historical appeal to the working class and common people.

• The Democratic Party in the United States is generally associated with liberal and progressive policies, advocating for government involvement in social programs, civil rights, and economic regulations.

• Social Issues and Civil Rights

  • Pro-Choice – Supports abortion rights (Roe v. Wade before it was overturned)

  • LGBTQ+ Rights – Advocates for same-sex marriage, gender equality, and anti-discrimination protections

  • Gun Control – Supports stronger gun regulations, including background checks

  • Racial and Gender Equality – Fights against systemic racism, sexism, and supports affirmative action

• Economy and Taxes

  • Progressive Taxation – Supports higher taxes on the wealthy and big corporations to fund social programs

  • Workers’ Rights – Advocates for a higher minimum wage and stronger labor protections

  • Regulations on Business – Believes in government oversight to prevent corporate abuses and environmental harm

  • Public Healthcare – Supports expanding Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)

• Education

  • Affordable or Free College – Supports lowering tuition costs and expanding student loan forgiveness programs

  • Public School Funding – Favors increased funding for public schools rather than school vouchers for private education

• Healthcare

  • Universal Healthcare Access – Supports expanding public healthcare options like Medicare for All

  • Reproductive Rights – Advocates for birth control access and comprehensive sex education

• Environment and Climate Change

  • Supports Green Energy – Invests in renewable energy (solar, wind) and reducing fossil fuel reliance

  • Climate Change Action – Backs policies like the Paris Climate Agreement and stricter pollution regulations

• Immigration

  • Pathway to Citizenship – Supports legal protections for undocumented immigrants, including DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), which is a U.S. immigration policy that protects certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. It does not provide citizenship but allows recipients (called Dreamers) to legally work, study, and live in the U.S. on a temporary basis.

  • Opposes Strict Border Policies – Advocates for humane immigration enforcement rather than harsh deportation measures.

• Foreign Policy and Defense

  • Multilateral Diplomacy – Prefers working with allies through organizations like the United Nations and NATO

Republicans

• The elephant was first used to represent the Republican Party in an 1874 cartoon by Thomas Nast in Harper’s Weekly. The cartoon depicted the Republican vote as an elephant, showing it as a strong, intelligent, and dignified creature.

• The elephant symbolizes power, stability, and reliability. It conveys the idea that the Republican Party is large, impressive, and unmovable in its principles.

• The Republican Party, often called the GOP (Grand Old Party), is associated with conservative and right-leaning policies. Republicans generally advocate for limited government, free-market economics, traditional social values, and a strong national defense.

• Social Issues and Civil Rights

  • Pro-Life (Anti-Abortion) – Supports restrictions or bans on abortion, opposing Roe v. Wade before it was overturned

  • Traditional Family Values – Often opposes policies like same-sex marriage and gender identity protections

  • Gun Rights – Strongly supports the Second Amendment, opposing most gun control laws

  • Tough on Crime – Favors strict law enforcement and longer sentences

  • Religious Influence in Politics – Many Republicans support faith-based policies, such as prayer in schools

• Economy and Taxes

  • Lower Taxes – Advocates for tax cuts, especially for businesses and high earners, believing it stimulates economic growth

  • Free Market Economy – Prefers less government regulation on businesses

  • Opposes Minimum Wage Increases – Believes wages should be set by the market, not the government

  • Supports Small Businesses – Encourages entrepreneurship and reducing government intervention

• Education

  • School Choice and Vouchers – Supports funding charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling

  • Opposes Federal Oversight – Believes education should be controlled by states and local governments rather than the federal government

  • Supports Prayer in Schools – Advocates for religious freedom in education

• Healthcare

  • Opposes Government-Run Healthcare – Against universal healthcare programs like Medicare for All

  • Repeal or Limit the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) – Prefers private healthcare solutions over government mandates

  • Favors Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) – Encourages individual responsibility for medical expenses

• Environment and Climate Change

  • Supports Fossil Fuels – Advocates for coal, oil, and gas industries to protect American energy independence

  • Opposes Strict Environmental Regulations – Believes regulations hurt businesses and job creation

  • Skeptical of Climate Change Policies – Some Republicans challenge climate change science or oppose regulations like the Paris Climate Agreement

• Immigration

  • Stronger Border Security – Supports tougher immigration laws, including border walls and deportations

  • Opposes Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants – Generally against pathways to citizenship for illegal immigrants

  • Supports Merit-Based Immigration – Prefers skilled workers over family-based immigration

• Foreign Policy and Defense

  • America First Approach – Focuses on U.S. interests over global cooperation

  • Strong Military Spending – Supports increasing the defense budget.

  • Skeptical of Global Organizations – Less supportive of the United Nations (U.N.) and international agreements

  • Pro-Israel Policy – Strong alliance with Israel and skeptical of agreements with countries like Iran

Election of U.S. President

• U.S. Constitution's Requirements for a Presidential Candidate:

  • Minimum Age: 35 years

  • U.S. Resident: 14 years

  • Natural Born Citizen

• Step 1: Primaries and Caucuses

  • The presidential candidates campaign throughout the country to win the support of the general population.

  • People with similar ideas belong to the same political party; this is where primaries and caucuses come in.

  • In a Primary

    • Party members vote for the best candidate that will represent them in the general election.

  • In a Caucus

    • Party members select the best candidate through a series of discussions and votes.

  • Candidates from each political party campaign throughout the country to win the favor of their party members.

• Step 2: National Conventions

  • Each party holds a national convention to select a final presidential nominee.

  • At each convention, the presidential candidate chooses a running mate (vice presidential candidate).

• Step 3: General Election

  • People in every state across the country vote for one president and vice president.

  • When people cast their vote, they are actually voting for a group of people known as electors.

• Step 4: Electoral College

  • In the Electoral College system, each state gets a certain number of electors based on its representation in Congress.

  • Each elector casts one vote following the general election, and the candidate who gets more than half (270) wins.

  • The newly elected president and vice president are inaugurated in January.

• Definitions:

  • Caucus: A meeting of the local members of a political party to select delegates to the national party convention. A caucus is a substitute for a primary election.

  • Delegate: A person authorized to represent others as an elected representative to a political party conference.

  • Elector: A member of the electoral college.

  • Electoral College: The voters of each state, and the District of Columbia, vote for electors to be the authorized constitutional members in a presidential election.

  • Natural Born Citizen: Someone born with U.S. citizenship includes any child born "in" the United States, the children of United States citizens born abroad, and those born abroad of one citizen parent.

  • Primary: An election where voters select candidates for an upcoming general election, Winning candidates will have delegates sent to the national party convention as their party's U.S. presidential nominee.

• U.S. Electoral Votes by State:

  • The United States has a total of 538 electoral votes.

  • 270 votes are needed to elect the president and vice president.

• An Indirect Election:

  • One year before the elections:

    • Candidates from the two main political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans, begin their campaign trails.

    • They set up their team and start “going on tour” around the country to rally for support and to fundraise for their campaigns.

• Primary Elections and Caucuses:

  • Each state holds primaries or caucuses to select party nominees.

  • These typically occur from February to June in an election year.

Caucuses

• A caucus is a public, in-person meeting where voters gather to discuss, debate, and then vote for their preferred candidate.

• How Caucuses Work:

  • Instead of a secret ballot, people gather at designated locations (such as schools, libraries, or community centers).

  • Supporters of different candidates group together in the room.

  • If a candidate doesn’t get enough support (usually 15% of voters in the room), their supporters can either:

    • Join another candidate’s group

    • Try to convince others to support their candidate

    • Leave without voting

  • After discussions, the final votes are counted, and delegates are awarded based on support.

• Key Features of a Caucus:

  • Open and interactive process

  • Requires more time and participation from voters

  • Often dominated by highly engaged and passionate voters

  • Caucuses are only used in a few states, like Iowa, Nevada, and North Dakota

Primaries

• A primary is a statewide election where voters cast a secret ballot for their preferred candidate, similar to a general election.

• How Primaries Work:

  • Voters go to polling stations or mail in their ballots

  • They select their preferred candidate privately

  • The votes are counted, and candidates receive delegates based on the results

• Types of Primaries:

  • Open Primary – Voters can choose any candidate, regardless of party affiliation

  • Closed Primary – Only registered party members can vote in their party's primary

  • Semi-Open / Semi-Closed Primary – Voters who are registered with a party must vote in their party’s primary. Independent or unaffiliated voters may be allowed to choose which party’s primary they want to vote in.

• Key Features of a Primary:

  • Faster and simpler than caucuses

  • More inclusive, allowing broader participation

  • Used by most states (e.g., New Hampshire has the first primary)

National Convention and General Election Campaign

• Each party holds a convention (usually in July or August) to officially nominate its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

• Delegates, based on primary/caucus results, vote to confirm the party’s nominee.

• Candidates campaign across the country, participate in debates, and engage with voters

• Citizens cast their votes for their preferred candidate

• Voters choose electors, not the president directly

Electoral College Votes and Certification

• Each state is assigned a number of electors based on its congressional representation (senators + representatives)

• A total of 538 electors exist

• The candidate who wins a state’s popular vote (except in Nebraska and Maine) gets all of that state’s electoral votes (winner-takes-all system)

• The electors officially cast their votes in December

• The U.S. Congress meets in early January to count and certify the electoral college votes

• The candidate with at least 270 electoral votes wins

• The new (or re-elected) President is sworn into office

Significant Presidents