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The electoral process, The selection and nomination of candidates.,…
The electoral process
Primaries: formal secret ballot elections that select delegates for parties presidential nomination conventions. They are used to also choose party candidates for state & congressional elections.
Congressional elections: Cand. with the largest number of votes win. There r exceptions e.g Georgia's election laws require top-two election for senate seat. California where a non-partisan primary law is present.
Presidential elections: Each state receives an allocation of ECV based on the size of their congressional delegation. Therefore each state has a minimum of 3 ECVs (2 senators & 1 house).
Strengths of US electoral system:
- A huge number of elections + elected officers offer many opp. for PP. E.g ballot initiatives, referendums & recall elections.
- The elec. syst. reflects federal nature of US with indiv. states having discretion over aspects of elections. E.g indiv. states have leeway in areas such as voter ID laws & how primary elec. r organi & gerrymandering.
- Primaries + caucus enable ordinary voters to play the key role in selecting cand. for political parties e.g any registered voter can vote & does not necessite voters dec. party affil.
- The electoral college reinforces the fed. nature of the US and ensures smaller states are not overlooked in election campaigns. E.g process of reapportionment where ECV is recaluc. every 10yrs following NC.
Weaknesses of the US electoral system:
- US electors suffer from voter fatigue so many elections can lead to apathy & a degree of cynicism regard. the PP.
- There is plenty scope for electoral manip. e.g gerrymandering & Texas ID laws in indiv states. A fully national electoral system may wrk better.
- Primaries & caucuses increase the amount & length of elections but also encourages division within parties.
- There is electoral distortion via the electoral college, which can exagg. the pwr of smaller states.
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