Civics 4.2

Civics 4.2

Election and Voting

Open Ended

How does the manner in which the United States conducts elections contribute to its two party system?

Function of Political Parties

• 1. nominate candidates for office

• 2. structure the voting choice to those who actually have a chance of winning

• 3. establish party platforms

Platforms

• party's statement of programs and policies it will pursue once candidate is in office

• platform is made up on several planks

• individual policy

• updated every four years

Open Ended

Last week, you looked at the Democratic and Republican party platforms. Do you remember any of the issues mentioned? List at least one.

National Convention

• delegates (representatives) from each state and US territories that meet to nominate (choose) candidates for president and vice president

Party Structure

• most interest groups are aligned with one of two major parties

• Coalitions - different groups band together to achieve political success

• radical - extreme opinions

• reactionary - "react" to what they see as radical changes or movements - status quo

Party Function

• Political Machines - state and local party organizations that choose party candidates and great influence the outcome of elections

• in the past could buy votes through patronage (promising a certain position to an individual in exchange for their support)

• still takes place but to the extent as before

• ex. support me and you will be in my Cabinet

Grassroots

• grassroots campaign efforts are those made by volunteers and local party members who actively educate, campaign, and encourage citizens to get out and vote for the party's candidat

Multiple Choice

In the US, only the Democrat and the Republican parties truly dominate the political scene. This demonstrates that the US operates on which kind of political system?

• multi-party

• a republic

• two-party

• coalition

Elections

• General Election -November - local, state, and federal

• to narrow field down primaries or primary elections held months before usually in the summer

• Primary elections -voters choose from a group

• No one wins a majority - runoff election

Multiple Choice

What happens if no one wins a primary election?

• Caucus

• Run-off election

• General Election

• Recall