Party Organization and Nominating Candidates Chapter 17 : Lesson 3 Party Organization and Nominating Candidates

Essential Question: What role do political parties play in the electoral process at the national, state and local levels?

National Party Organization Each party has a national committee made up of representatives from every state. It raises funds for presidential elections and organizes the party’s national convention. A national party chairperson runs the committee. Reince Priebus- GOP National Chairperson

National Party Organization At the national convention, party delegates from all states write the platform and nominate candidates for president and vice president.

Platform: a statement of a political party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on vital issues.

State and Local Organization At election time they must “deliver the vote” for party candidates at every level. In the past, some local party organizations became so powerful that they were called political machines. In the 1800s and early 1900s, the Tammany Hall organization ruled New York City. Its leader, “Boss” Tweed, grew rich from bribes and kickbacks.

State and Local Organization At a time when no social service agencies existed, political machines provided needy citizens with jobs, food, and other services in return for votes. Membership in a political party is not required, but it offers a way for citizens to be involved in politics. The only duty is to vote. Members can choose to contribute money, do volunteer work, or help with election campaigns.

Nominating Candidates Political parties are active year-round. They keep people informed and interested in issues and candidates. They try to see that the party’s elected officials do a good job. They politically criticize actions of the opposing party. Parties select candidates through the nomination process.

Nominating Candidates In direct primaries, voters in each state choose candidates to represent the party in a general election. Often the winner of the most primaries wins the party’s nomination. Most states hold closed primaries in which only declared members may vote for the party’s nomination. A few states hold an open primary in which voters need not declare a party preference to vote for the party’s nominees.

Nominating Candidates For offices open to only one winner, the nomination usually goes to the candidate who receives a plurality-the most votes among all those running. In a few states, the winner must have a majority-a number greater than half of the total.

Nominating Candidates If no candidate receives a majority, the party holds a runoff primary between the two top vote getters. An independent candidate may get on the ballot if enough voters sign a petition-a paper declaring support for that candidate.

Review Question: Chapter 17 : Lesson 3 Read pages 527-533 and answer Review Questions on page 533. Hand in Google Class Room.