1. What is the difference between a one party system and a two party system? Where do you usually find these two systems? A one party system is usually found in nations with authoritarian governments because the governments tolerate no other opposition. A two party system, like the United States, has only two major parties competing for power.

2. What functions do political parties serve in government? Political parties serve the following functions: Electing candidates, educating the public, involving people in the political process, operating the government, developing and implementing policy, government watchdog, and providing stability.

3. How has the American two party system evolved? Two parties had organized at the time of President Washington’s second term, and later there were several minor parties in the United States. However, after the Civil War, the two strong parties emerged: the Democratic and Republican parties and both remain dominate today.

4. What role do third parties, or minor parties, play in the United States? Why is it hard for third/minor parties to get a foothold in the political landscape of the US? Third parties can and have influenced the outcome of national elections, and they can introduce new ideas that major political parties can and have adopted. When a third/minor party takes up a cause and begins to attract a large following; typically, one of the two major parties takes up that cause in order to attract voters to their party.

5. What is a centrist candidate? Why are parties more likely to nominate ideological candidates? A centrist candidate is one whose beliefs fall in between those of liberals and conservatives. Parties are more likely to nominate ideological candidates for office because voters have become more entrenched in their positions and more insistent that their elected officials toe the party line.

6. What are the major differences in viewpoints between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party? The Republican Party opposes too much government intervention in people’s lives and the Democratic Party believes that the role of government is to promote health, education, and justice for the American people.

7. What are the demographic differences between voters who identify as Republicans and voters who identify as Democrats? Democrats have more women, minorities and young members than the population at large. 44% identify themselves as working class and 45% identify themselves as middle class or upper middle class. Republicans have more white, male, educated, and religious members than the population at large, 29% say they are a member of the working class, 63% say they are middle class or upper middle class.

8. How does political polarization affect political parties and vice versa? As Americans have become more polarized in recent years, party members and elected officials are more likely to agree with the party platform and less likely to cross party lines on key issues.

9. What role do political parties play in the electoral process at the national, state, and local levels? At the local level, parties choose which candidates to run under the party’s name, and distribute information about the party and its candidates to attract voters to the polls. At the state level, the main function of a political party is to help elect the party’s candidates for state government offices. At the national level, party organization is comprised mainly of representatives from the 50 state party organizations. The national committee raises money for the party; touts its achievements; and promotes national, state, and local party cooperation.

10. How do political parties nominate presidential candidates? Political parties nominate candidates by holding caucuses, nominating conventions, primary elections, and presidential primaries.

11. How are the terms suffrage and disenfranchisement related? The term suffrage relates to the right to vote. Disenfranchisement relates to removing the right to vote.

12. Who could and could not vote in early America? Only wealthy, white, property owning males were allowed to vote in early America.

13. How was African American suffrage restricted and extended in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries? African American suffrage was restricted by the grandfather clause, literacy tests, and poll taxes. It was expanded by the 15 th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

14. How was suffrage extended to women and 18-21 year olds? Women organized to fight for their rights to vote in meetings, lectures, articles, marches, and lobbies. 18-21 year olds were being drafter and fighting for their country and became involved in protests.

15. What are referenda and initiatives? Why are they important to democracy? In a legislative referendum, the legislature refers a measure to the voters for their approval. In a popular referendum, voters gather signatures to put specific laws passed by the legislature on the ballot, and citizens can vote to approve or repeal the laws. In an initiative, voters who secure enough signatures can place their own proposed laws or state constitutional amendments on the ballot. Referenda and initiatives enable citizens to hold their lawmakers accountable. If the legislature passes unpopular laws, citizens can use a referendum to appeal to repeal them. Referenda and initiatives also reveal strong public opinion on issues, forcing elected officials to address these issues.

16. How do election cycles, term limits, and ballot issues influence voting? Consistent election cycles make it more convenient for voters to make it to the polls. Term limits give voters the opportunity to later choose a new leader if unsatisfied with the current one. Ballot questions allow voters to directly influence issues and bans.

17. Who votes in U.S. elections? How do personal backgrounds, party loyalty, candidate image, and campaign issues influence voters? Just over 50% of Americans coted in the 2000 presidential election. Personal background can dictate a person’s vote based on his or her age, education, or religion. Party loyalty might influence a voter to choose based only on political party rather than on a candidate’s qualifications. A candidate’s image can influence a voter to choose him or her based on his or her experience and outlook. Campaign issues, such as abortion and education, can influence a voter based on his or stance.

18. How are campaigns run and how do they try to influence voters? Campaigns are run by campaign managers, party officials, and campaign field workers. Campaigns try to influence voters by contacting voters, holding local rallies, distributing campaign literature, and organizing media relations.

19. What are precincts, and where are polling places located? Precincts are voting districts. Polling places will be in a particular precinct containing between 200-1,000 voters.

20. Who can vote and how can one register to vote? Individuals over the age of 18 may voter. To register, you must fill out a registration form and submit it to the election board. You can also register when getting/renewing your drivers license.

21. What are the procedures for voting? The procedures for voting include registering by filling out and submitting a registration card to the election board. Voters then cast a ballot at a polling place or an absentee ballot through the mail.