Elections

Strategies for evaluating campaign speeches, literature, and advertisements for accuracy

· Separating fact from opinion

· Detecting bias

· Evaluating sources

· Identifying propaganda

Mass media roles in elections

· Identifying candidates

· Emphasizing selected issues

· Writing editorials, creating political cartoons, publishing op-ed pieces

· Broadcasting different points of view

Rising campaign costs

· Require candidates to conduct extensive fund-raising activities

· Limit opportunities to run for public office

· Give an advantage to wealthy individuals who run for office

· Encourage the development of political action committees (PACs)

· Give issue-oriented special interest groups increased influence

Campaign finance reform

· Rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws.

· Limits exist on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns.

Only citizens who register can participate in primary and general elections.

Qualifications to register to vote in Virginia

· Citizen of the United States

· Resident of Virginia and precinct

· 18 years of age by day of general election

How to register in Virginia

· In person at the registrar's office, at the Division of Motor Vehicles, or at other designated sites

· By mail application

Registration is closed 29 days before elections.

Factors in predicting which citizens will vote

· Education

· Age

· Income

Why citizens fail to vote

· Lack of interest

· Failure to register

The percentage of voters who participate in presidential elections is usually greater than the percentage of voters who participate in state and local elections.

Every vote is important.

Electoral college process

· The slate of electors for each state is chosen by popular vote.

· The electors meet to vote for President and Vice President.

· The winner-take-all system leads to the targeting of large states for campaigning, although candidates must pay attention to small states whose electoral votes may make the difference in tight elections.

The number of electors of each state is based on the state’s Congressional representation.

The requirements for a majority vote to win in the electoral college favors a two-party system.