Campaigns and Elections

The key to gaining control of the government in a representative democracy is winning elections. A candidate for public office attempts to persuade voters that he or she is the right person for the job. If the majority of voters agree, the candidate is given the opportunity to represent the people and have an impact on public policy. This is a simplistic description, as the reality of political campaigns is much more complicated. The media, large amounts of money, cunning political opponents, and legal loopholes can make it difficult to keep the playing field level for all participants. This topic will examine some important aspects of political campaigns and elections.

Essential Questions

• How do campaign advertisements, public opinion polls, media coverage, social media, and digital communications impact elections?
• How has the cost of running a campaign affected the electoral process
• What is reapportionment and how does it impact elections?