This document discusses winning percentages in recent presidential and congressional elections and factors that influence those percentages. It notes that presidential elections are usually closer than House and Senate elections due to a broader variety of voters nationwide. House and Senate elections in some states consistently favor one party because the state leans towards that party politically. An advantage for incumbent candidates is greater name recognition, easier access to campaign funding, and ability to use government resources.

2. POPULAR VOTE:
The vote for a U.S. presidential candidate made by the qualified
voters, as opposed to that made by the electoral college.
WINNING PERCENTAGES OF THE LAST
SIX PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS:
1992- 43.01%
1996- 49.23%
2000-47.87%
2004- 50.73%
2008- 52.87%
2012- 50.6%

3. WINNING PERCENTAGES HOUSE
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS LAST SIX
CONGRESSES
2002-2012
108th: 52%
109th-55%
110th-50.5%
111th- 58%
112th-53%
113th-51%

4. WINNING PERCENTAGES SENATE
ELECTIONS LAST SIX CONGRESSES
Ohio
2002:49.5%
2004: 63.9 %
2006: 56.2%
2008: 51.9%
2010: 57.3%
2012: 50.3%
2006

5. INCUMBENT ADVANTAGE
Advantages:
• More recognition
• Easier access to Campaign
Finance and government
resources
• Incumbents have won more
over the years

6. SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT
An electoral district, or constituency having a single representative in a
legislative body, rather then having 2 or more.
Impacts the winning percentages because you can win with a lesser
percentage then someone else.
Eliminates third party votes.

7. WHY ARE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS MUCH
CLOSER THAN THE AVERAGE HOUSE/SENATE
ELECTION
The whole country votes, so there is a broader variety of voters
More people take interest in the presidential election.

8. HOUSE/SENATE ELECTIONS
States lean towards one party, causing that party to be elected into office
every time there is an election
Example would be that California is primarily Democrat, so usually a
Democratic candidate gets elected everytime

9. DIVIDED GOVERNMENT
One party controls the white house and another controls both houses of
congress
USA is mainly a divided government.

10. QUESTIONS
1. What is divided government?
2. What is the popular vote?
3. One advantage of being an Incumbent.
4. What is a single member district?
5. What party does California primarily lean?