1. AP U.S. Government Rixie April 16th, 2018
Review Session #3
AP U.S. Government
Rixie
April 16th, 2018

2. Political Parties
Functions & History

3. Three-Headed Giant Three “Heads”: General functions:
Electorate, government, organization
General functions:
Recruit candidates
Run campaigns & nominate candidates
Educate the electorate (linkage institution)
Organize gov’t/coordinate policymaking

4. Party Eras 1st party system, 1796-1824 Democrats dominate until 1860
Hamilton’s Federalist party is 1st
Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans begin to dominate in 1800
Democrats dominate until 1860
Andrew Jackson (D) appealed to masses
Opposed by Whigs (not very successful)

5. Party Eras Republican domination, 1860-1932
Began with Lincoln’s election (antislavery)
New Deal Coalition
Democrats take back control with FDR
United workers, Catholics, Jews, women, urbanites & African-Americans

6. Party Eras Divided Government Era 1968- present
Began with Nixon’s election (R)
Often one party controls the presidency and the other controls congress
Gridlock occurs

7. Other Terms Realignment Dealignment During a critical election
Dominant party loses power and new dominant party takes its place (ex: 1860 & 1932)
Dealignment
Voters continue to become more independent, not loyal to any party

8. 3rd / Minor Parties Any other than Dems & Reps
Cause-based
Single-issue or ideological
Splinter parties
Personality-based
Rarely win, but still have impact:
Bring issues to light
Express discontent
Shift votes of the electorate (Bush v. Gore)

9. The Party in the Electorate
Voters
Many vote based on party identification (which is voluntary & free)
Ticket-splitting has grown more common
Voting for one party for one office and another party for another office

10. The Party in Government
The elected officials of that party
The Party in the Organization
National Convention
Every 4 years to select Prez nominee
National Committee
Manages business between conventions (establishes rules, fundraising, etc.)
National Chairperson – directs work of committee

11. State & Local organization
State law governs these levels
State parties are better organized today than previously
Party machines & patronage (spoils) system dominated in cities until reforms in the 1930s
Turned to merit system & non-partisan elections

12. Elections & Campaigns
Types, Participation, tactics

13. Legitimacy
Belief in the fairness of the electoral system (fair & free elections); accept results
People vote due to:
Political efficacy
Civic duty
Because they see a clear difference between candidates

14. Voter Turnout Very low in the U.S.
Higher in years with POTUS elections
Less likely to vote:
Low education
Blue-collar workers or lower income workers
Young people
Those who don’t identify with a party, religion, union, etc.
Unmarried
Minority groups

15. Expansion of Suffrage Amendments: Civil Rights & Voting Rights Acts
15th – no discrimination based on color
19th – women can vote
23rd – DC can vote
24th – no poll taxes
26th – 18 and up
Civil Rights & Voting Rights Acts
No literacy tests
Helped enforce anti-discrimination measures

16. Voter Registration
Barriers: transportation, identification, citizenship, language, disabilities
Motor Voter Act – register to vote at DMV

17. Types of elections Primary – nominate party candidates
General – vote between parties
More voter turnout in prez election years
Direct democracy – referendums get on ballot by Congress; initiatives get on ballot by public; public votes on both

18. Presidential Nomination
Most states hold primaries:
People cast votes for the delegate that will vote for their candidate
Closed (only party members)
Open (decide on election day)
Blanket (all parties on one ballot)
Caucuses: town-hall style meeting to vote on candidate (generally very low turnout)

19. Presidential Nomination
Frontloading:
States try to move primaries earlier in the season for higher importance
National convention:
Write party platform
Delegates formally vote for POTUS nominee & VP
Speeches/spectacle

20. Electoral College
On election day, voters actually vote for electors, who will later cast their vote for POTUS & the VP
State’s # of electors = # of reps & senators
Winner-take-all except Maine & Nebraska
270 electoral votes needed to win!

21. Campaign Strategies Direct mail or email Advertising $$$
Public rallies/speeches
Website & social media tactics
Appealing to states/cities based on specific issues relevant to them

22. Campaign Finance
Federal Election Campaign Act (1971 & amended in 1974)
Reporting requirements for campaign contributions
Individual contributions limited to $1000
Federal Election Commission to enforce campaign laws
Public financing of elections available, but limits spending if accepted

23. Campaign Finance Buckley v. Valeo Soft money
Ruled part of FECA limiting self-financing of campaigns was unconstitutional (against freedom of speech)
Soft money
Loophole – businesses & people can donate unlimited money to a party’s “general use,” rather than a specific candidate
McCain-Feingold / BCRA
Closed this loophole
Increased group/individual contribution limits

24. Campaign Finance PACs 527 groups 501 (c) groups
Campaign-funding arm of interest groups
Limit on direct donations to candidates
527 groups
Political organizations formed post-BCRA often focused on single policy issue
Don’t directly support candidates
501 (c) groups
Non-profit vehicles for political donations; don’t have to disclose donors

25. Campaign Finance Citizens United Decision
Limiting $ people & corporations can spend on their own to try to elect/defeat candidates is unconstitutional (direct contribution limits still okay)
Super PACs emerge
Unlimited money spent to influence politics!
Only major rule – can’t coordinate with a candidate’s campaign