1. Political Parties and Elections
Voting and Elections

3. Political Parties Development of Political Parties
In America, there are 2 major parties- two party system
US Constitution says nothing about political parties
Thomas Jefferson: strong states’ rights, weak central gov’t
Alexander Hamilton: strong central gov’t , weak states’ rights
Democrat RepublicansDemocrats
FederalistsWhigs Republicans (Lincoln first Rep. Pres.)
Third Parties believe neither of the major parties offer positive platforms
No 3rd party has ever won an election, but they do effect outcome
Some are invented just to stress an issue- alcohol
Communist Party USA, Socialist Party Ideological Parties

4. Political Parties
Most nations have multi party systems (more than 2) Canada (3); Israel (20)
Some have a 1 party system- Communist Party in China
Major parties today differ in their beliefs on the role of gov’t in people’s lives
Each party, every 4 years, develops a platform and its’ planks

5. Political Parties Organization of Political Parties
Parties operate on local, state and national level
The nat’l comm. for each party helps its’ candidate get elected
Every 4 years, the nat’l comm. will hold a convention where party delegates write a platform, nominate a P and VP
State comm. focus on electing local officials to office
Each county or city is divided into precincts and will elect officials from their precinct
Some local parties become very powerfulpolitical machines
Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed
Corrupt ring bribing people for votes

8. Political Parties Nominating Candidates
Political parties are the only organization that can nominate a person for office
Parties nominate candidates using direct primarieselections where voters choose candidates to represent each party in a general election
2 forms of direct primary
closed primary- only declared party members are allowed to vote
open primary- voters do not declare party preference
Candidates need plurality (most votes among those running) to win nomination
If there is someone interested in running not from the two major parties, a petition can be used to get their name on the ballot

9. Political Parties Other Party Roles
Political parties do more than just nominate a candidate for office
Campaign for candidates- raise money, make sure ppl. are registered to vote
Informing citizens- get across ideas about policy (TV, radio, speeches)
Helping Manage Government- hand out government jobs
Linking Different Levels of Government- mayors and governors
Watchdog- the losing party will “watch” the party in power to check for any mistakes and wrongdoing

10. Voting and Elections Who can Vote? Voting is a responsibility
During early years, most voters were white and there were restrictions on AA, NA, women, must own property
15th A- AA males have right to vote; 19th A- Women have right to vote
Criminals in prison do not have the right to vote
To vote you must: be 18, a resident of the state, Citizen
If you want to vote, you must register
Democrat, Republican, unaffiliated
Show proof of citizenship, address, age
Assigned an election district (precinct)

11. Voting and Elections Steps in Voting
Election Day- Voters go to location where voting is carried outpolling place
At the polls- study ballot and fill out form to be cross referenced
Casting a Vote- hand your card to a “judge” and vote
Punch card machine
Lever machine
Absentee Voting- citizens who can’t get to the polls to vote
Counting the Vote- Take returns to election board to be counted
Media likes to exit poll- ask voters who they voted for when they leave
Everyone eligible to vote is an electoratemany are apathetic (do not care)

13. Voting and Elections Election Campaigns Types of Elections
General Elections: Voters choose candidates for office (pres, House, governor)
Majority wins; loser can demand recount
Voting on Issues
Initiative: citizens propose new laws to be voted on by signing a petition
Proposition: a proposed law
Referendum: Sign a petition to have the law voted on again
Special Elections: Runoff elections; Recall vote to remove a public official from office

14. Voting and Elections Presidential Elections 3 major steps Nomination
Conventions are held to nominate 1 candidate from each party
Delegates attend to represent the opinions from each state
Campaign
In full swing by September- debate, make speeches
The Vote and Electoral College
Each state’s electors is pledged to a candidate, who ever wins the popular vote usually wins all of the state’s electoral votes
Winner Take All System
Whoever wins a majority of the 538 electoral votes, wins

15. Voting and Elections Paying for Election Campaigns
It takes a lot of money to run a campaign
Purpose: convince public to vote for a particular candidate
Campaign workers use techniques to sway opinion
Canvassing: Door-to-door
Endorsements: Famous or popular person supports a campaign (propaganda)
Advertising and Image Molding
Financing a Campaign
Until the 70s, much money came from large businesses and wealthy ppl
Gov’t tries to limit this kind of financing- Finance reform
You must tell what you are spending money on
Accept federal funds for campaigns
Limit how much individuals and companies can donate

18. Voting and Elections Public VS Private Funding
Public: 1971 law says you can donate money when doing tax returns
Private: Where most campaign money comes from
Business, labor unions, NRA, AMA
Politicians must sneak to earn more
Soft Money: Money given to political party, not candidate
Political Action Committees (PACS): Organizations designed to support candidates created by companies and unions
Many say wealthy donators “buy” a candidate