Political Parties and Their Roles

What is the main goal of a political party?

• To control the media

• To start protests

• To win elections and influence government

• To raise taxes

Which parties dominate U.S. politics today?

• Green and Libertarian

• Federalist and Whig

• Democrat and Republican

• Independent and Socialist

Why is it hard for minor parties to win elections?

• They have too much money

• Laws and election rules favor two parties

• They control the courts

• They are banned by law

What does it mean to nominate a candidate?

• Remove them from office

• Pay them a salary

• Choose them to run for office

• Register them to vote

What is the “watchdog role”?

• A party that guards the White House

• One party helping another

• The party out of power watching the party in power

• A person guarding voting machines

What is a “single-member district”?

• Where only one party can run

• Where all parties are equal

• Where only one candidate wins per race

• Where voting is not allowed

What’s a platform?

• A building used for elections

• A set of political beliefs and policies

• A voting machine

• A part of the Constitution

What role do minor parties often play?

• They run elections

• They count the votes

• They introduce new ideas and influence big parties

• They write the Constitution

What’s a precinct?

• The state capital

• A type of ballot

• The smallest local voting area

• A political commercial

Why are political parties important to democracy?

• They make the laws

• They connect voters to government and help it function

• They stop people from voting

• They replace the court system