Political Parties and Elections

1. Political Parties and Elections Political Parties Voting and Elections

3. Political Parties Development of Political Parties • In America, there are 2 major parties- two party system • US Constitution says nothing about political parties • Thomas Jefferson: strong states’ rights, weak central gov’t • Alexander Hamilton: strong central gov’t , weak states’ rights • Democrat RepublicansDemocrats • FederalistsWhigs Republicans (Lincoln first Rep. Pres.) • Third Parties believe neither of the major parties offer positive platforms • No 3rd party has ever won an election, but they do effect outcome • Some are invented just to stress an issue- alcohol • Communist Party USA, Socialist Party Ideological Parties

4. Political Parties • Most nations have multi party systems (more than 2) Canada (3); Israel (20) • Some have a 1 party system- Communist Party in China • Major parties today differ in their beliefs on the role of gov’t in people’s lives • Each party, every 4 years, develops a platform and its’ planks

5. Political Parties Organization of Political Parties • Parties operate on local, state and national level • The nat’l comm. for each party helps its’ candidate get elected • Every 4 years, the nat’l comm. will hold a convention where party delegates write a platform, nominate a P and VP • State comm. focus on electing local officials to office • Each county or city is divided into precincts and will elect officials from their precinct • Some local parties become very powerfulpolitical machines • Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed • Corrupt ring bribing people for votes

8. Political Parties Nominating Candidates • Political parties are the only organization that can nominate a person for office • Parties nominate candidates using direct primarieselections where voters choose candidates to represent each party in a general election • 2 forms of direct primary • closed primary- only declared party members are allowed to vote • open primary- voters do not declare party preference • Candidates need plurality (most votes among those running) to win nomination • If there is someone interested in running not from the two major parties, a petition can be used to get their name on the ballot

9. Political Parties Other Party Roles • Political parties do more than just nominate a candidate for office • Campaign for candidates- raise money, make sure ppl. are registered to vote • Informing citizens- get across ideas about policy (TV, radio, speeches) • Helping Manage Government- hand out government jobs • Linking Different Levels of Government- mayors and governors • Watchdog- the losing party will “watch” the party in power to check for any mistakes and wrongdoing

10. Voting and Elections Who can Vote? • Voting is a responsibility • During early years, most voters were white and there were restrictions on AA, NA, women, must own property • 15th A- AA males have right to vote; 19th A- Women have right to vote • Criminals in prison do not have the right to vote • To vote you must: be 18, a resident of the state, Citizen • If you want to vote, you must register • Democrat, Republican, unaffiliated • Show proof of citizenship, address, age • Assigned an election district (precinct)

11. Voting and Elections Steps in Voting • Election Day- Voters go to location where voting is carried outpolling place • At the polls- study ballot and fill out form to be cross referenced • Casting a Vote- hand your card to a “judge” and vote • Punch card machine • Lever machine • Absentee Voting- citizens who can’t get to the polls to vote • Counting the Vote- Take returns to election board to be counted • Media likes to exit poll- ask voters who they voted for when they leave • Everyone eligible to vote is an electoratemany are apathetic (do not care)

13. Voting and Elections Election Campaigns • Types of Elections • General Elections: Voters choose candidates for office (pres, House, governor) • Majority wins; loser can demand recount • Voting on Issues • Initiative: citizens propose new laws to be voted on by signing a petition • Proposition: a proposed law • Referendum: Sign a petition to have the law voted on again • Special Elections: Runoff elections; Recall vote to remove a public official from office

14. Voting and Elections Presidential Elections • 3 major steps • Nomination • Conventions are held to nominate 1 candidate from each party • Delegates attend to represent the opinions from each state • Campaign • In full swing by September- debate, make speeches • The Vote and Electoral College • Each state’s electors is pledged to a candidate, who ever wins the popular vote usually wins all of the state’s electoral votes • Winner Take All System • Whoever wins a majority of the 538 electoral votes, wins

15. Voting and Elections Paying for Election Campaigns • It takes a lot of money to run a campaign • Purpose: convince public to vote for a particular candidate • Campaign workers use techniques to sway opinion • Canvassing: Door-to-door • Endorsements: Famous or popular person supports a campaign (propaganda) • Advertising and Image Molding Financing a Campaign • Until the 70s, much money came from large businesses and wealthy ppl • Gov’t tries to limit this kind of financing- Finance reform • You must tell what you are spending money on • Accept federal funds for campaigns • Limit how much individuals and companies can donate

18. Voting and Elections Public VS Private Funding • Public: 1971 law says you can donate money when doing tax returns • Private: Where most campaign money comes from • Business, labor unions, NRA, AMA • Politicians must sneak to earn more • Soft Money: Money given to political party, not candidate • Political Action Committees (PACS): Organizations designed to support candidates created by companies and unions • Many say wealthy donators “buy” a candidate