Changes

'''VII.  Elections – The Three-Way Race.'''

'''VII.  Elections – The Three-Way Race.'''

States determine the procedures for electing their congressmen.  Some use “run-offs”, some do not.

[[State]]s determine the procedures for electing their [[congress]]men.  Some use “run-offs”, some do not.

A “run-off” consists of a special election between the two top vote-getters, when no one attains 50% on Election Day.  For example, if John Smith received 48% and Mary Doe procured 47%, and minor party candidates totaled 5%, then a run-off would feature an election between only John Smith and Mary Doe a few weeks later.  That ensures the winner attains at least 50%.

A “[[run-off]]” consists of a special election between the two top vote-getters, when no one attains 50% on Election Day.  For example, if John Smith received 48% and Mary Doe procured 47%, and minor party candidates totaled 5%, then a run-off would feature an election between only John Smith and Mary Doe a few weeks later.  That ensures the winner attains at least 50%.

States that do not utilize “run-off” elections would simply declare John Smith the winner on Election Day, despite failure to receive 50% of the vote.

States that do not utilize “run-off” elections would simply declare John Smith the winner on Election Day, despite failure to receive 50% of the vote.

In our presidential elections, do we utilize a “run-off”?  (No.)  Do we have something similar?  (Yes, the Electoral College requires that the House of Representatives picks the president if no one obtains a majority of electoral votes.)

In our [[president]]ial elections, do we utilize a “run-off”?  (No.)  Do we have something similar?  (Yes, the [[Electoral College]] requires that the [[House of Representatives]] picks the [[president]] if no one obtains a majority of electoral votes.)

When there is no run-off, occasionally (but very rarely) a candidate can win because his opponents split their vote.  This happens less often than the media pretend.  Can you think of reasons why it is rare for someone to win because his opponents split their vote?

When there is no run-off, occasionally (but very rarely) a candidate can win because his opponents split their vote.  This happens less often than the [[media]] pretends.  Can you think of reasons why it is rare for someone to win because his opponents split their vote?

I can think of two examples of presidents who won with less than 50% of the vote, because their opponents split their vote.  Can you?  (Woodrow Wilson, 1912; George W. Bush, 2000)

I can think of two examples of presidents who won with less than 50% of the vote, because their opponents split their vote.  Can you?  ([[Woodrow Wilson]], 1912; [[George W. Bush]], 2000)

A senator who won due to vote splitting was conservative James Buckley in New York in 1970.  But victories due to vote-splitting is quite rare.

A senator who won due to vote splitting was [[conservative]] [[James Buckley]] in New York in 1970.  But victories due to vote-splitting is quite rare.

'''VIII. Issues'''

'''VIII. Issues'''

1. The controversy arose when the federal government established a “do not call list” and prohibit companies from calling numbers on the list.  Congress, Senate, the President, and apparently a majority of the public felt strongly that this is desirable and constitutional.  Many people are tired of being interrupted during dinner by a telemarketer calling to solicit business.  What do you think?  What about free speech and free enterprise?

1. The controversy arose when the federal government established a “do not call list” and prohibit companies from calling numbers on the list.  [[Congress]], [[Senate]], the [[President]], and apparently a majority of the public felt strongly that this is desirable and [[constitution]]al.  Many people are tired of being interrupted during dinner by a [[telemarketer]] calling to solicit business.  What do you think?  What about free speech and free enterprise?

2. A similar issue arose with respect to door-to-door salesmen.  Some towns, to monitor these salesmen, require them to register.  A religious group objected to the registration requirement.  Your view?

2. A similar issue arose with respect to door-to-door salesmen.  Some towns, to monitor these salesmen, require them to register.  A religious group objected to the registration requirement.  Your view?

3. Currently there is no law protecting the builders of unoriginal databases, like listings of names in a phone book, against unauthorized copying.  You could copy someone else’s phone book and sell the listing for your own profit.  Is that fair?  Congress is proposing a law to prevent the copying of someone else’s database.  What clause might give Congress this power?  Would you support such a bill?

3. Currently there is no law protecting the builders of unoriginal databases, like listings of names in a phone book, against unauthorized copying.  You could copy someone else’s phone book and sell the listing for your own profit.  Is that fair?  [[Congress]] is proposing a law to prevent the copying of someone else’s database.  What [[clause]] might give [[Congress]] this power?  Would you support such a [[bill]]?