Political Parties and Candidates

A group of persons who seek to control government through winning of elections and the holding of public office. In the United States, our two major parties are election oriented, not principle or issue oriented. Political parties are a vital link between the people and their government.

 Political parties are necessary for a democratic government because they act as a link between the people and their government.  Political parties are the “power brokers,” meaning that they modify various views in an attempt to come to a compromise and avoid conflict.  They soften the impact of extremists at both ends of the political spectrum (range of political views).

 Nominating candidates  Informing and activating supporters  Bonding agent  Governing

 Partisanship is government action based on firm allegiance to one political party.  Bipartisanship is government action supported by two parties.  The two major parties have found common ground in the election process. They work together to shape election laws in a way that minor/independent candidates have a harder time winning.

 Select candidates  Raise funds  Conduct campaigns  Identify important issues  Monitor the party in power

 Political parties have national, state, and local organizations.  Party factions can control the election process by controlling candidate selection.  This is major function of the political party. Candidates are presented to voters by their parties in an attempt to win elections.

Each major political party seeks to define itself in ways that wins majority support while remaining committed to core principles.

The two major parties are coalitions of several factions and interest groups and recognize the importance of conducting campaigns that appeal to voters in the middle of the political spectrum, veering neither too far left nor too far right of the political center.

Third parties could form to highlight single issues in a given election or provide a long-term forum for minority views. #GailForRail

 Candidates must appeal to an increasing number of independent voters to win elections.  An independent voter means that they are registered voters BUT have not registered as a Democrat or Republican.

 At each level of government (national, state, and local), candidates for elective office are chosen by using a variety of nominating methods, such as:  Nominating convention  Caucus  Petition  Direct primary

National Level: Nominating Conventions  The two major political parties use a national nominating convention to select presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Local/State Level: Caucus: as a nominating device, a group of like-minded people who meet to select the candidates they will support in an upcoming election. Petition: to make or present a formal request to an authority with respect to a particular cause. Direct Primary: an election held within a party to pick that party’s candidates for the general election. Stafford County, VA

In Virginia, state and local party organizations determine which method of nomination will be used to select candidates. Once nominated, candidates campaign and go before the voters for election to office.

In Virginia, 17-year- olds can register and vote in special elections or participate in the nominating process if their 18 th birthday is on or before the general election. *Democracy requires that elections be free, honest, and accurate.