1. Unit 6: Political Parties and Elections

2. Political Party Systems

3. I. What is a Political Party???
A group of voters who have the same beliefs about government and try to control decisions made in the government by electing candidates from their party

4. II. Political Party Systems
One Party System
Ex. China, Cuba
Two Party System
Ex. United States
Multi Party System
Ex. Japan, Italy, Germany, Israel

5. III. America’s Two-Party System
Began with ratification of the Constitution
1st Political Parties: Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Today:
Democrats: “Liberal,” big government; more government involvement in the economy, less involvement in people’s lives
Republicans: “Conservative,” small government; less government involvement in the economy, more government involvement in people’s lives

6. Third Parties Parties that challenge the other 2 parties
They focus on issues they believe have been ignored by the Dems and Reps
Not very many supporters
Ex. Tea Party, Progressive Party, Green Party

7. Roles of Political Parties

8. I. Organization of Political Parties
Every political party works on the local, state, and national level
Local level: Political machines
National work is more visible, however
The national convention is held every presidential election year
Parties select their candidates for President and VP and write their party platform

9. II. Roles of Political Parties
Select candidates for office
Primary elections
National Convention
Campaign for candidates
Inform citizens of party goals and objectives
Use the mass media to do this (radio, tv, Internet)
DNC in 2012

10. Help manage government
When they win they have to run the government
Link different levels of government
Easy for Pres, Governors, and Mayors of same party to work together
Acts as a “watchdog”
Parties that lose power in an election will check the actions of the winning party to make sure they don’t abuse their powers

11. Voting

12. I. Why is Voting Important?
You get to choose your leaders
You get to participate in the government
You can voice your opinions about certain issues
You give your consent to the government

13. II. Requirements for Voting
Past Requirements: white, male, property owner, age 21
Current Requirements:
Age 18 (Amendment 26)
US Citizen—African Americans (Amendment 15), Women (Amendment 19)
Be registered to vote in MI

14. III. The Process of Voting
Learn about the candidates and issues
Go to the polling place during voting hours
They will check your ID and registration and give you a ballot
Go to the booth and mark your choices
Split ticket
Straight ticket
Turn in your ballot
**Absentee Ballots

15. IV. Why Don’t More People Vote???
Apathy
Voting times conflict with work schedule
Too busy
“My vote won’t count!”

16. Types of Elections

17. I. Primary Elections
Held to determine who the candidates will be in the November elections
Closed—only party members can vote
Open—anyone can vote
Held between January and June
Caucus—same thing as a primary election; party members choose candidates instead of voting

18. II. General Elections Held 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in Nov.
Voters select the people who will hold office

19. The President must go through the Electoral College before being officially elected
Only official NOT directly elected by the people
# of electors per state= # of Senators + # of Reps
A candidate must get at least 270 out of 538 votes to win
“Winner takes all” system

20. Some candidates do not have to belong to a political party to run for office
Ex. NC Judges, School Board members
Called non-partisan elections

21. III. Elections on Issues
Referendum: issue from legislature placed on ballot for public to vote
Initiative: citizens make laws by starting a petition
Recall: vote someone out of office

22. Elections Campaigning

23. I. Elections Campaigns File for candidacy Primary Elections
General Elections

24. II. Gaining Public Support
Canvassing – go through neighborhoods hold local rally's
Propaganda – convince people to think a certain way
1. Name-Calling--Use of an unpleasant label or description
2. Symbolism—Using patriotic symbols
3. Glittering Generalities--Uses words that sound good but have little meaning.

25. 4. Bandwagon—You should be doing what everybody else is doing 5
4. Bandwagon—You should be doing what everybody else is doing 5. “Just Plain Folks”--Claim to understand the problems of average Americans 6. Stacked Cards--Presents only one side of the issue 7. Endorsements—Candidates get famous people to back them

26. III. Campaign Funding Federal Elections Campaign Act (1979)
Required candidates to publicly disclose spending
Limited the amount of $ that people could donate directly to candidates
Public Funding
Established by FECA
$ is raised through donations on tax returns and then split between 2 presidential candidates

27. McCain-Feingold Act (2002)
Private Funding
Largest source of campaign funds
Most of this comes from individuals and Political Action Committees (PAC—see defs)
McCain-Feingold Act (2002)
Prohibits national political parties from raising $ that could be used for anything

28. IV. Incumbents
Incumbent: someone who has served in office and is running for re-election
Incumbents have advantages, such as name recognition and experience raising $

29. Public Opinion and Interest Groups

30. I. Public Opinion
The ideas and attitudes that most people hold about elected officials, candidates, the government, and political issues
Candidates, the media, and interest groups affect public opinion

31. II. Interest Groups
A group of people who share a point of view about an issue and unite to promote their ideas
Examples:
NCAE, Chamber of Commerce, NAACP, AARP, Green Peace, NRA

32. Interest groups hire lobbyists to convince candidates and legislators to support their cause
Legal Actions: contact lawmakers, campaign for candidates
Illegal Actions: buying lawmakers/candidates gifts or paying for their living expenses (bribes)

33. Methods used to end corruption between lawmakers and special interest groups:
Federal Elections Campaign Act
Candidates must report fundraising/spending
Special interest groups have to report a list of their employees to Congress