Functions of a Political Party

Functions of a Political Party

CE. 5a, Students, today you will describe the functions of a political party with no less than 75% accuracy.

Political Parties

There are many political parties in America, but the two largest have a lot of power. Because of this we say that America has a two-party system. The parties are very important through the election process.

Abraham Lincoln

• Shopkeeper, militia captain, lawyer, state legislator, U.S. congressman. This extraordinary leader never had any schooling and held odd jobs before getting involved in politics.

Barack Obama

Community organizer, law professor, state senator, U.S. Senator. Our nation's first black president started with a church youth group and served as a state representative and a U.S. senator.

Ronald Reagan

Radio sports announcer, movie start, and governor. A famous Hollywood film star, Reagan went straight to the California governor's office and then on to the White House.

Directions

Read each example. Decide which function of political parties is described. Select the corresponding function from the four functions of political parties.

Multiple Choice

The election is a year away. We must create committees to select who can best represent our party's views.

• Helping candidates win elections.

• Educating people about campaign issues.

• Recruiting and nominating candidates.

• Monitoring actions of officeholders.

Multiple Choice

Our party can arrange a meet-and-greet with the local press to show voters where we stand on campaign issues.

• Helping candidates win elections.

• Educating people about campaign issues.

• Recruiting and nominating candidates.

• Monitoring actions of officeholders.

Multiple Choice

Our work does not end after an election. Even though our party did not win, we still need to watch those in office and notify the public of any wrongdoings.

• Helping candidates win elections.

• Educating people about campaign issues.

• Recruiting and nominating candidates.

• Monitoring actions of officeholders.

Multiple Choice

The cost of a tv ad is $10,000 , but our party's money is well spent this way as we approach this election. We will do more fund-raising if that is what it takes to support our candidate.

• Helping candidates win elections.

• Educating people about campaign issues.

• Recruiting and nominating candidates.

• Monitoring actions of officeholders.

Multiple Choice

Voters want to know! Members of our party will distribute flyers, pamphlets, buttons, and stickers. They can use social media and political blogs to reach voters.

• Helping candidates win elections.

• Educating people about campaign issues.

• Recruiting and nominating candidates.

• Monitoring actions of officeholders.

Multiple Choice

All those in favor of Mr. Smith to represent our party, raise your hand.

• Helping candidates win elections.

• Educating people about campaign issues.

• Recruiting and nominating candidates.

• Monitoring actions of officeholders.

Multiple Choice

After our party's candidate are known, we need to attract as many voters as possible. Members of our party can show their support by placing a campaign poster in their yard.

• Helping candidates win elections.

• Educating people about campaign issues.

• Recruiting and nominating candidates.

• Monitoring actions of officeholders.

Open Ended

How would the political process be different without political parties?

Poll

Which of the following do you believe is the most important function of political parties?

• Helping candidates win elections.

• Educating people about campaign issues.

• Recruiting and nominating candidates.

• Monitoring actions of officeholders.