Political Parties

"Young adults continue to move away from television and newspapers and towards the internet as their primary source for a wide range of content and election news is no different."

How has this trend influenced recent elections in the United States?

• Citizens have the ability to vote directly for presidential candidates.

• Political parties have gained access to a larger audience of voters.

• Citizens are able to participate in national legislative processes.

• Political parties can lobby against campaign finance reforms.

"The common mischiefs of the spirit of the party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to

discourage and restrain it." ­ George Washington, 1796

• Political parties are needed to check government power

• Political parties will prevent a return to rule by a monarch

• Political parties should not be encouraged due to their danger

• Political party membership should be a required duty of a citizen

Which statement best explains how third parties can have a positive effect on national politics?

• Third parties often bring attention to topics that are unpopular or unknown

• Third parties shift voters’ attention away from major ­party candidate

• Third parties promote the concerns of special interest groups

• Third parties help bridge the gap between state and federal legislators

What is one major function of a political party?

• to nominate candidates for office

• to lobby congressional representatives

• to mandate election laws for primary races

• to monitor voting sites for election fraud

The Role of _______ ?

• Provides citizens with competing views on contemporary issues

• Directly connects the public to candidates and elected leaders

• Recruits candidates to run for office

Which phrase completes the title of this list?

• Interest Groups

• the Electoral College

• Social Media

• the Two­ Party System

The main effect of the establishment of the direct primary for U.S. political elections was that it...

• reduced the need to travel during political campaigns.

• reduced the influence of political party leaders.

• increased the number of delegates to secure the nomination.

• increased the number of independent voters.

Which action would best allow political candidates to meet the needs of their voters?

• using televised debates to promote a political agenda

• spending campaign money on polls to identify public opinion

• focusing campaign resources on Web ­based technology

• distributing information about the issues to people

Which function of a political party best completes this list?

Role of Political Parties in Elections

• Select candidates

• Raise campaign funds

• Organize campaigns

• ?

• Establish precinct polling places

• Lobby for legislation

• Draw voting district boundaries

• Hold nominating primaries

Which statement best explains what typically occurs when parties such as the Green Party gain popularity?

• The donations to campaign funds are more limited.

• Voter turnout for both parties often declines.

• The major party candidates often have votes taken away.

• Moderate voters are more likely to participate.

Why did the Reform party create this list of priorities?

1992 Reform Party Platform

• Reduce the federal deficit

• Establish term limits

• Improve balance of trade

• to call for a convention to discuss issues

• to communicate political goals to the public

• to select potential candidates for office

• to endorse differing opinions from activists