1. Political Parties
Chapter 5

2. Political Party Organization
Section 4
Political Party Organization

3. The Decentralized Nature of the Parties
Parties are not as highly organized, close-knit, and well-disciplined as they seem.
Parties are often highly decentralized, fragmented, and often plagued by factions and internal squabbling.
Party of the presidency is always more united than the party who does not control the presidency.
President automatically becomes the leader of the party.
Decentralization of American government leads to decentralization of American political parties.
The nominating process highlights the factions that exist within political parties and their decentralized nature.

6. National Party Machinery
The National Convention
Meets during presidential election years to pick presidential candidates and adopt platform.
The National Committee
Representatives of each state and territory who are meant to handle the operations of the party at the national level.
The National Chairperson
Leader of the national committee who directs the work of the party’s headquarters and its professional staff.
The Congressional Campaign Committees
Committees for each house of Congress work to get party members to fill as many seats as possible.

7. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic National Chair
Reince Priebus, Republican National Chair

8. State and Local Party Machinery
The State Organization
Most often state parties are headed by a chairperson and a central committee that seeks to further the party’s interests in the state.
Local Organization
Varies from State to State
Colorado has county organizations
Wards (subdivisions of cities)
Precinct (smallest unit of election administration)

9. Colorado Democratic Chair Colorado Republican Chair
Rick Palacio,
Colorado Democratic Chair
Ryan Call,
Colorado Republican Chair