Crash Course- Congressional Elections PDF

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Paper for crash course on congressional elections....

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C RASH C O U RSE | G O V ERNMENT & PO LIT IC S

CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

VO CA B U L A R Y voting polls: the physical location (school, church, community hall) where voting takes place board of elections: state governing body that conducts elections single-member districts: congressional areas (districts) that each elect one congressperson census: a population count of the U.S. undertaken every ten years incumbent: an existing member of Congress constituents: people in a state (Senate) or district (House) who the members of Congress represent franking privilege: members of Congress can substitute their signature (called a frank) for postage and mail items free of charge to their constituents

1. Why is Congress considered the “most important branch of government”? Because it is the one that is supposed to be the most responsive to the people.

F U N FAC T Martin Van Buren—the 8th president— was nicknamed “Martin Van Ruin,” as he presided over the depression of 1837.

2. What helps make Congress, as an institution, responsive to “the people”? Congress actually makes laws for the people.

3. What does the Constitution specify about House and Senate elections? The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

4. Who establishes scheduling (date of elections, location and hours of polls), registration, and rules of congressional elections? The states controll where the poll locations are and they also choose the hours.

F U N FAC T There are currently 435 congressional districts in the U.S. House of Representatives, each one representing approximately 700,000 people.

5. What is the main difference in elections to the House and Senate? Senators represent their entire states, but members of the House represent individual districts. The number of districts in each state is determined by a state's population. Each state has a minimum of one representative in Congress.

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C R A SH C O UR SE | G O V E R N M E N T & P O LI TI C S

CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

6. What characteristics are typically required by successful candidates? 1) 2) 3)

Likeability New ideas Experience

Describe the following advantages an incumbent has over a challenger in a typical election:

THOUGHT BUBBLE

RECORD: They already have a record of how they operate in government. CASE WORK: They already have made many cases to congress and people can see what they truly vote for. PROVIDE JOBS: People always like it when a canidate provides jobs. WINNING RECORD: They will get more vots if they have a record of winning. FRANKING PRIVILEGE: They can send letters for free to voters as a member of congress.

F U N FAC T mbers of Congress can substitute their nature (called a frank) for postage and mail ms free of charge to their constituents—a e advantage during an election.

7. Describe the three categories that explain representatives’ behavior and activities, according to political scientist David Mayhew. 1) ADVERTISING: Canidates always advertise themself as a good person. 2) CREDIT-CLAIMING: They will always take the credit they can get to help them win. 3) POSITION-TAKING: They will always take a position that will help them get elected. 8. Do you think that Mayhew’s “electoral connection” idea is too cynical? Why or why not? I don't think it is too cynical because that is one of the things political canidates always think about.

M AY T H E O D D S B E E V E R I N YO U R FAV O R People do gamble on U.S. presidential elections offshore; in mid-August 2016, Hillary Clinton’s odds were 1 to 4, while Donald Trump’s numbers were 11 to 4. Source: paddypower.com

TE AM H I LLARY

YOU BET $4

YOU WIN $1

TEAM TRUMP

YOU BET $4 YOU WIN $11

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