Political parties and what they do, part 2

Political Parties and What They Do

Topic 11, Lesson 1, Part 2

Political Parties & What They Do

Nearly all of the elections held in this country are single-member district elections, or contests in which only one candidate is elected to each office on the ballot. The winning candidate is the one who receives a plurality, or the largest number of votes cast for the office.

Political Parties & What They Do

There are four distinct types of minor parties in the United States. Ideological parties are those based on a particular set of beliefs—a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters. Although long-lived, they seldom are able to win many votes. Single-issue parties focus on one public policy matter. They fade away after the issue has been resolved, or people lose interest.

Political Parties & What They Do

Wards are the units into which cities are divided for the election of city council members. Precincts are the smallest unit of election administration.

Political Parties & What They Do

Sometimes they are able to get one of the major parties to take on their issue. Economic protest parties appear during tough financial times. They criticize the economic actions and plans of the major parties. Most of the important minor parties in American politics have been splinter parties—parties that have broken away from one of the major parties. of the major parties of the major parties

Match

Match the following term to its correct definition

• the largest number of votes cast for the office

• supported by two parties

• general agreement among various groups

• temporary alliance of several groups who come

• parties based on a particular set of beliefs—a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters

plurality

bipartisan

consensus

coalition

ideological parties

• plurality

• bipartisan

• consensus

• coalition

• ideological parties

Fill in the Blanks

is when parties are rooted in poor economic times, lacking a clear ideological base, dissatisfied with current economic conditions and demanding better times

Multiple Choice

wards are units into which cities are often divided for the election of city council members

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

what are precincts?

• the smallest unit of election administration; the voters in each precinct cast their ballots at one polling place located within the precinct

• the largest unit of election administration; the voters in each precinct cast their ballots at one polling place located within the precinct

• the smallest ward of an election administration; the voters in each ward cast their ballots at one polling place located within the precinct

• the largest precinct of election administration; the elected officials in each precinct cast their ballots at meeting within the precinct