Congressional Elections: Crash Course Government and Politics #6

Summary

This Crash Course Government and Politics episode explores the importance of elections, particularly for Congress. While presidential elections get the most attention, Congress holds significant power, as outlined in the Constitution. The episode explains how Congressional elections work, including the role of incumbency, money, and gerrymandering. It also introduces the 'Electoral Connection,' the idea that members of Congress are primarily motivated by re-election, influencing their actions like credit claiming and position taking. The episode provides an engaging and insightful look into the mechanics and motivations behind U.S. elections.

Takeaways

• 📅 Americans are obsessed with elections, especially presidential ones, but Congressional elections are constitutionally more important.
• 📜 The Constitution establishes that the entire House of Representatives is elected every two years, while one-third of the Senate is elected every two years.
• 📊 States handle most election rules, like registration and polling, but there are federal laws governing certain aspects.
• 🏛️ Congress members are elected from single-member districts in the House, and senators are elected at large by the whole state.
• 💼 Candidates usually need a clean record and the ability to raise substantial money for their campaigns.
• 💰 Incumbents have a significant advantage in elections, partly because of name recognition, a track record, and easier fundraising.
• 📬 The franking privilege allows incumbents to send election materials with free postage, though its relevance has decreased in the internet age.
• 📈 Incumbency advantage is strong: over 90% of House incumbents and a majority of Senate incumbents are re-elected.
• 📚 David Mayhew’s 'Electoral Connection' theory posits that congressmen are primarily motivated by the desire to be re-elected.
• 📢 Congressional actions like advertising, credit claiming, and position taking can often be understood as part of their strategy to secure re-election.

Q & A

Why does the speaker say Americans are obsessed with elections?

Americans are often obsessed with elections, as shown by the media's focus on the 2016 presidential election, even though it was still early 2015. Elections play a central role in how the public engages with politics.

Why does the speaker argue that the fixation on presidential elections is misplaced?

The speaker believes the fixation on presidential elections is misplaced because, while the president is important, Congress is constitutionally the most important branch of government, as it is designed to be more responsive to the people.

How frequently are elections held for the House of Representatives and Senate?

Elections for the House of Representatives are held every two years, while one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years, with each senator serving a six-year term.

What role do the states play in Congressional elections according to the Constitution?

The Constitution leaves the scheduling and rules of elections largely up to the states, including registration requirements and poll timings, although there are some federal election laws.

What is the significance of incumbency in Congressional elections?

Incumbents, or current officeholders, have a significant advantage in elections because they have a proven track record, access to fundraising, and often benefit from the franking privilege, which allows them to send out election materials for free.

What are 'single-member districts' and how do they relate to House elections?

In House elections, each election district selects a single representative, which is why they are called single-member districts. The number of districts in each state is determined by the Census, which occurs every 10 years.

What is 'The Electoral Connection' as proposed by David Mayhew?

David Mayhew's 'The Electoral Connection' suggests that Congress members are primarily motivated by the desire to get re-elected. This theory explains much of their behavior, including advertising, credit claiming, and position taking.

How does money influence elections, according to the video?

Money plays a crucial role in elections. Candidates need to raise significant funds to run competitive campaigns, with House winners in 2012 spending around $2 million and Senate winners spending over $10 million.

What is the 'franking privilege' and how does it benefit incumbents?

The franking privilege allows incumbents to send out election materials for free, up to a limit of $100,000. Although it may be less effective in the internet age, it still gives incumbents a communication advantage with voters.

Why does gerrymandering make elections ending in zeros important?

Gerrymandering, or the manipulation of electoral district boundaries, often occurs after the Census, which is conducted every 10 years. Therefore, elections in years ending in zeros are important because they follow the redrawing of districts.