This week, we're going to look at HOW elections are conducted across this country.  A fact that most people are not aware of: there are actually VERY FEW federal rules or laws governing how elections are to be run.  Article I, Section 4 of the US Constitutions places responsibility for conducting Congressional elections at the feet of the STATE governments.  Although that clause does allow Congress to override those state rules, it's completely SILENT on the question of elections for State offices.  Therefore, almost every decision about where you vote, when you vote, how you vote, etc, has been decided by a state (or even local) official.

Textbook Reading

Chapter 4 - Part 4.H ONLY (it covers BOTH Parties and Elections, so we'll look at it again next unit)

Instructor Notes

Elections - Lecture Notes

Outside Links

Primary Elections (Ballotpedia) - notice that Ballotpedia uses some slightly different classifications as to the types of primary elections (as compared to my notes).  They make some distinctions among sub-types of "open" primaries, and they classify the Louisiana "Jungle" system and the Washington-California "Top Two" system as completely distinct (it's a minor distinction, quite frankly)

Election Dates by State (CSG Book of the States - 2019)

State Election Calendar Infographic (CSG Book of the States - 2019)

Black legislators sound warning on Florida primary amendment (Politico - Sept 2020)

Unit Assignments

Timing of State Elections - CS

State Primary Election - CS

Local Election Timing - CS