U.S. Presidential Elections

Major Party Presidential Nominees & Running Mates

Presidential Candidates

Hilary Clinton Donald Trump

Democratic Party Republican Party

Chairman and President, The Trump Organization

Former Secretary of State

Tim Kaine

U.S. Senator, Virginia

Mike Pence

Governor of Indiana

Debates

Presidential Debates September 26 October 9 October 19 Vice Presidential Debate October 4

The Role of Political Parties

• The Founders did not envision a role for political

parties

• Political parties became tied to the voting rights –

they helped mobilize the growing mass of voters

• Every president since 1852 has been either a

Republican or a Democrat

Why a Two-Party System?

Comparing Systems

The American System of Government

• Separates the legislature and the

presidency

• Congress is legally and politically

independent of the President’s will

The Electoral College

• The Electoral College refers to a group of 538 people who officially elect the president

• Each state receives one elector for each its members in the House of Representatives plus two for its U.S. Senators

• In most states, electors cast their votes based on how the majority of voters in their state voted.

Electors by State

A candidate must

win a majority of 270

electoral votes to be

elected president

The Polls

???

Campaign Finance

• Public Funds

• Personal Funds

• Political Action Committees (PACs)

• Super PACs