Congressional Elections Chapter Notes | AP U.S Government and Politics - Grade 12 PDF Download

Introduction

Congressional elections in the United States determine the composition of the legislative branch and significantly influence national policy. While sharing some similarities with presidential elections, they are distinct in their timing, processes, and political outcomes.

The Incumbency Advantage

One of the most influential factors in congressional elections is the incumbency advantage, where current officeholders are significantly more likely to win re-election compared to their challengers.

• House elections take place every two years, with all 435 seats contested.
• Senate elections are staggered, with one-third of the 100 seats up for election biennially.

Midterm elections, occurring halfway through a president’s term, typically see lower voter turnout and less media coverage, which enhances the advantages of incumbents.

Incumbents benefit from:

• Established name recognition, built through regular communication with constituents via email, social media, and public appearances.
• A legislative track record, which they can leverage to highlight their experience and alignment with local priorities.
• Well-developed fundraising networks, providing access to campaign funds that challengers often struggle to secure.

Note: Political Action Committees (PACs) predominantly support incumbents, contributing to high re-election rates, approximately 90% in the House and 60% in the Senate.

PAC Contributions in the 2010 Election

These figures demonstrate that incumbents receive the majority of financial support, reinforcing their electoral dominance.

Primaries, Caucuses, and Gerrymandering

Candidates for Congress must first secure their party’s nomination through primaries or caucuses before advancing to the general election.

Primary Systems

Similar to presidential elections, states may employ open, closed, or semi-closed primaries, but the rules vary by district and significantly affect outcomes.

Unlike presidential primaries, congressional primaries are conducted district by district or state by state, often featuring fewer candidates and lower voter participation. In safe seats, the primary winner is nearly assured victory in the general election due to the district’s partisan leanings.

The Role of Gerrymandering

• Gerrymandering involves manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group, often creating safe seats where one party consistently dominates.
• Gerrymandering can also marginalize minority communities or weaken the influence of opposing party voters, making it a contentious practice that impacts the competitiveness of congressional elections.

Note: Safe seats reduce electoral competition, potentially leading to less responsive representation. Candidates in these districts may focus solely on their party’s base, contributing to increased ideological polarization in Congress.

Comparing Congressional and Presidential Primaries

While both congressional and presidential elections use primaries and caucuses, key differences exist:

• Scale: Presidential primaries are national, drawing significant media attention, whereas congressional primaries are localized.
• Participation: Congressional primaries involve only voters within a specific district, while presidential primaries include statewide participation.
• Rules: States may apply different regulations for congressional versus presidential contests, including ballot access and delegate allocation methods.
• Timing: Presidential primaries span several months across multiple states, while congressional primaries typically occur on a single day within a state.

These distinctions influence campaign strategies, media coverage, and voter engagement.

General Elections: Presidential vs. Midterm Context

Congressional general elections occur biennially and are categorized as either presidential year elections or midterm elections:

• During presidential election years, congressional races coincide with the presidential contest.
• In midterm elections, held halfway through a president’s term, congressional races often reflect public sentiment about the president’s performance.

Impact on Presidential Power

Congressional elections influence presidential authority in two primary ways:

• Legislative cooperation: If the president’s party gains or retains control of Congress, they are more likely to advance their legislative agenda.
• Public perception: Midterm elections often serve as a referendum on the president’s performance. Losses by the president’s party can indicate public dissatisfaction and weaken their political mandate.

Note: Since 1934, the president’s party has lost seats in nearly every midterm election, a pattern often attributed to declining voter enthusiasm and higher opposition turnout.

The Re-Election Effect

• Midterm election outcomes can impact a president’s re-election prospects. 
• Strong results may indicate public support, while losses can lead to party divisions and stalled policy initiatives.

Key Terms

• Caucuses: Caucuses are gatherings of political party members to discuss policies, strategies, and candidate selections. In congressional elections, they shape party platforms, influence nominations, and mobilize support for legislative goals.
• Divided Government: Divided government occurs when one party controls the executive branch and another controls one or both chambers of Congress. This can lead to legislative gridlock due to conflicting priorities, reflecting shifts in voter sentiment and the political landscape.
• Elbridge Gerry: Elbridge Gerry, a Founding Father and Massachusetts governor, is best known for inspiring the term “gerrymandering.” His redistricting practices favored his party, influencing electoral outcomes and congressional representation.
• General Elections: General elections are held every two years to select government representatives, including members of Congress. They determine officeholders, shape legislative priorities, and influence the balance of power in government.
• Gerrymandering: Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to benefit a specific party or group. It impacts election outcomes, representation, and party power dynamics in Congress.
• House of Representatives: The House of Representatives, one of two chambers of Congress, passes federal laws and represents population-based constituencies. It initiates revenue bills and provides checks on other branches of government.
• Incumbency Advantage: Incumbency advantage refers to the benefits enjoyed by current officeholders, such as name recognition and donor networks, increasing their re-election likelihood in congressional and presidential races.
• Midterm Elections: Midterm elections, held midway through a president’s term, elect all 435 House members and one-third of Senate seats. They influence Congress’s composition and reflect public views on the president’s performance.
• Political Action Committees (PACs): PACs are organizations that raise and spend funds to support or oppose political candidates. They significantly influence congressional elections through campaign contributions, shaping electoral outcomes.
• Primaries: Primaries are party elections to select candidates for the general election. Using open, closed, or semi-closed formats, they determine congressional nominees and impact party dynamics.
• Safe Seats: Safe seats are districts where one party is highly likely to win, reducing competition. They shape congressional composition and influence party election strategies.
• Senate: The Senate, one of two congressional chambers, comprises 100 senators, with each state represented equally. It plays a key role in lawmaking and checks and balances within the federal government.