PSC 102 – State and Local Government: State Elections Reflection Assignment , POST University July 2025

                                            Federal Elections and State Elections:  

Does the Public Follow Party Lines?  

 

Jackie Phillips 

Political Science, Post University  

PSC 102 – State and Local Government: State Elections Reflection Assignment 

Michael Ferguson 

Due Date: 11:59 p.m. EST, Sunday of Unit 2 

 

Overview: Federal politics and national issues are often what voters think most about. However, understanding issues in our states and localities are just as important. Candidates for state and local office often need to try and separate themselves from the shadow of national politics. The purpose of this assignment is to have you reflect on how state elections should be approached by voters. 

Instructions:  

You will read the article, Can You Separate Federal Issues from State Elections? by Alan Greenblatt. The article can be found in the Readings and Resources for Unit 2.  

The article discusses the challenges state candidates have while campaigning due to the prominence of federal issues on voters’ minds. Although the article is from 2012, the points being made are still true today.  

After reading the article, you are going to reflect on it by providing an overview and addressing the following questions:  

 

* Identify the main point(s) that the author is making. 

“The way people normally vote these days is by party. The electorate is highly     polarized, particularly in a presidential year.” (Greenblatt, A., 2012) 

I totally agree that people will generally stay with their party affiliation when voting     and who they focus on for their open seats. I am one of those people. Plus during a     Presidential election year, it is very important to put the right person in the white                     house.  

The elections that happen that are not in the same year as the Presidential elections are     also important because we all want the best people running our states, cities and     counties.  

 

* What are some strategies the author mentions to describe what state candidates             do to set themselves apart from national politics? Determine if you think they are             successful? 

“Most legislators will tell you that they run independent campaigns, getting to know                 their constituents as neighbors by knocking on half the doors in their district. Long                 before running for the legislature, they have established themselves as leaders in their             communities, as local elected officials or activists. They believe they have established             their own identities and are able to make their own appeals to voters.” (Greenblatt, A.,     2012) 

I can see that it would make a huge difference for state and local candidates to be going     door to door and letting people get to know them. It would also be important to set up     local booths at city events and participate in parades so that local people can meet them     face to face.  

I went to a local event in San Francisco over the weekend and half the floats and booths were by local politicians letting people get to know them. I even was able to shake the hand of the new Mayor of San Francisco since he was walking in the parade and greeting people along the side lines. Behind him were also police officers to make sure he was safe, and I was glad to see that! 

 

* Explain if there is ever an appropriate time for state candidates to embrace                     federal  issues? 

“We need to win the top of the ticket to win the bottom of the ticket,” says Matt McCoy,             another Iowa Democratic senator. “We’re totally tied together. That’s why we’re     embracing the president.” (Greenblatt, A., 2012) 

I think it is always a great idea to connect yourself to who is in the White House if you are running for a local office since it is very important who is running the country, and             this can affect your strengths and weaknesses in the future. During election time there             are a lot of TV ads and people see them every day. This keeps the elections in everyone’s         minds.  

 

* Have you ever voted for candidates from different political parties for different                 races? If so, why did you do this? If not, would you consider doing so in the                         future? 

No. I have never voted for a candidate who was not in my designated party. California             is a heavily Democrat state and has been for a very long time. The Republicans keep whining and complaining but they get to live in a wonderful state! 

 

* What predictions do you have about the author’s concern? Will this remain a problem, or do you see signs that it is changing? 

I think that these concerns are ongoing for many reasons. First, due to the massive size            of the United States and how different the states are to one another, this will always                 create different ideas on how to be more connected to either the state government or to             the government in Washington DC.  

Second, since Washington DC is so far away from the vast majority of the country, it is         harder for these distant states to make a close connection. Citizens who are closer to the capital would have easier access and be able to make regular trips if they wanted. Living in California, it is extremely difficult to make a trip to Washington DC for any reason. Even after 61 years of age, I have personally never set foot in the capital, and I have no plans to make the trip.  

Third, running busy lives, it is easier to just follow party lines and vote for the                     candidates in your own party. It is a great first step that we share the same party, so it is             easier for me to make the decision to vote for them if I haven’t had all the time to explore         each candidate thoroughly.  

 

References 

Greenblatt, A., 2012, Governing.com, Can You Separate Federal Issues from State Elections?, https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-state-elections-federal-issue-separation.html 

PSC102 State and Local Government: Unit 2DB: Citizen Political Participation, POST University June 2025

PSC102 State and Local Government: Unit 2DB: Citizen Political Participation

Based off what you have learned in this unit, why do you think so few people participate in politics beyond the act of voting?  Think about how active you are as a political participant and why you think that is the case.   

Recent information suggests that California citizens are actively engaged in politics.  

High Political Engagement: 

California ranks as the most politically engaged state in America, according to a WalletHub study. 

This engagement is not limited to within the state; California voters, through activism and donations, are said to have influenced races beyond state borders. 

Other Forms of Civic Engagement: 

• California's State Seal of Civic Engagement initiative promotes civics education and participation among high school students, indicating an effort to foster broader civic engagement. 
• Civic education in schools includes learning about government structures, democratic processes, and methods for citizens to influence society. 
• Civic engagement activities can include attending local government meetings, participating in community organizations, and taking part in acts of civil action like rallies or protests. 

 

I think one aspect that affects people’s involvement in politics is whether they have time and resources to do more than working full time, or multiple part time jobs, and also raising a family and/or going to school. I think people start with voting and then if they become actively involved in political groups, then they gain an interest in going beyond voting.  

As you respond, consider the effectiveness that direct democracy (initiatives, popular referendums, recalls) would have on political participation.  Do you think citizens would be more active if their state has direct democracy provisions?  

Initiatives, popular referendums, and recalls significantly influence California politics by granting citizens direct involvement in lawmaking and governance.  

Initiatives, referendums, and recalls are crucial tools of direct democracy in California, giving citizens a strong voice in policymaking and governance. While they have led to important and popular policy changes, they also come with challenges and debates surrounding their use and effectiveness. These mechanisms have shaped California's political landscape significantly and continue to be a powerful force in the state.  

Our ballots are always very full with a lot of items to vote on. We receive thick booklets to read through. I think it is great that California is active in allowing citizens to put items on the ballot to vote on. California is full of very active citizens wanting to make a change if they feel it necessary.  

PSC102 State and Local Government: Unit 1DB: Balance of Government Power, POST University, June 2025

 PSC102 State and Local Government: Unit 1DB: Balance of Government Power

Discuss whether the balance of governmental power should lean more toward either the national government or the states.  Please make sure to reference material you have learned from Unit 1 to defend your position. 

I really enjoyed the PowerPoint/PDF in our readings called “American Federalism.” It really broke down the points and explained them well. My favorite slide that said it all to me was Slide #3 called “Who has the power to do what?” I loved the description between Enumerated and Implied Powers and the General Welfare Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause 

I enjoyed the review of the 10^th and 14^th Amendments. The 10^th Amendment says, 

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” (Post University, 2025) 

The 14^th Amendment says, 

“Prohibits states from depriving individuals the rights and privileges of citizenship 

Requires states to provide due process and equal protection guarantees.” (Post University, 2025) 

As a Criminology major, I am a firm believer that the states must have their own powers and then within those states, the counties and cities each have their own powers. In massive states like California, this is necessary to break down the jurisdictions so that things can get done, rather than waiting for distant state powers in Sacramento to do something. 

Along the same line, it is necessary for states to have their own powers rather than waiting for distant Washington DC to do something. In massive countries like the US where each state is so unique based on their location and history, it is necessary for there to be separation of the states to do what is best for their own states. Then the federal government does their work to uphold the US Constitution, the basis of the country.  

 

References: 

Post University, 2025, American Federalism, PowerPoint presentation, Slide #3 “Who Has the Power to do What?”