Elections

Question 1

‘Procedures for electing US presidents and members of Congress are not fit for purpose’ HFDYA?

Answer 1

-Fit for purpose: representative
-Not fit for purpose: issues with representation
-Fit for purpose: deliver legitimate results
-Not fit for purpose: Issues around exclusion of small parties and approval

Question 2

Evidence of significant involvement of people in elections?

Answer 2

Frequent elections; house is elected every 2 years and senate 1/3 every 2 years.

Question 3

What do frequent elections allow- presidents?

Answer 3

Government to be held to account; Trump loses presidency after failings in dealing with COVID and social issues like BLM. Biden over concerns about his age and competency.

Question 4

What is the importance of primaries?

Answer 4

Allows people’s involvement in deciding their party’s presidential candidate. Decision making closer to the people; the candidate is the one most favoured by the people.

Question 5

What do frequent elections ensure in congress?

Answer 5

That representatives are in tune with constituent interests consistently. Eg. Margioles-Mezvinsky lost her seat for prioritising her president over her constituency.

Question 6

Evidence that not all outcomes are representative-popular vote?

Answer 6

Trump 2016 won election race with less of the popular vote than Clinton. Same with Bush and Gore.

Question 7

Evidence that not all outcomes are representative- districting?

Answer 7

Alexander v South Carolina- 30,000 minority voters exiled to protect incumbent GOP candidate.

Question 8

Evidence that not all outcomes are representative- incumbency?

Answer 8

95% of incumbents nationwide were re-elected 2024.

Question 9

Evidence that not all outcomes are representative- unequal states?

Answer 9

Presidential campaigns only focus on swing states; 3/4 of presidential campaign events in 2020 took place in just 6 swing sates.

Question 10

Evidence that not all results are representative: senate

Answer 10

All states get 2 senators despite hugely varying in size.

Question 11

Evidence that not all outcomes are legitimate- rigging?

Answer 11

Trump’s claim that 2020 election was ‘stolen’- led to January 6th; implies not fit for purpose.

Question 12

Evidence of strong governments?

Answer 12

All recent presidents except Bush 1st term have had non-divided governments in the first 2 years, allowing significant legislation to get done.

Question 13

Evidence of legitimacy in terms of checks?

Answer 13

Divided gov in the 2nd 2 years is reflective of people’s wills; gridlock and ineffective lame duck years.

Question 14

How can high incumbency be seen as a positive?

Answer 14

Signals effectiveness.

Question 15

Evidence of lack of legitimacy: small parties?

Answer 15

2 major parties win on average 98% of seats. Presidents always GOP or dem.

Question 16

Lack of legitimacy: electoral system

Answer 16

FPTP- leads to wasted votes

Question 17

Lack of legitimacy: approval ratings?

Answer 17

Has gone down every presidency

Question 18

What was Clinton’s approval rating?

Answer 18

55%

Question 19

What was Bush’s approval rating?

Answer 19

49%

Question 20

What was Obama’s approval rating?

Answer 20

48%

Question 21

What was Trump’s approval rating?

Answer 21

41%

Question 22

What is the current congressional approval rating?

Answer 22

Sits around 30%; currently 29%