The forces behind our government Political Parties

Functions of Political Parties: 1. Select & support candidates 2. Inform citizens 3. Speak to government on behalf of the people 4. Operate the government 5. Act as a “watchdog” over government 6. Link the different levels of government together.

Platforms & Planks Platform: A series of statements expressing the party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues. Plank: The term for each individual part of a party’s platform. What are some Examples?

Types of Parties Democratic History: - Supporters of President Andrew Jackson became known as democrats in order to stress their ties to “common” people.

Types of Parties Republican History: - Formed in 1854 as a coalition of other minor parties who advocated the abolition of slavery in the north. - Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican president.

Types of Parties Third Parties -Purpose: To promote ideas that are otherwise unpopular. -Types of Third Parties: 1. Single-Issue 2. Ideological 3. Independent Candidates

Types of Elections Primary: -The first part of a two-part election process. -Purpose: to narrow the field of candidates even further. One candidate per party is chosen during this step.

Types of Elections -Types of Primaries: All primaries are direct – voters choose candidates to represent a party directly. 1. Closed – Only declared members of a party may vote in that party’s primary. 2. Open – Voters do not need to declare their party preference in order to vote.

Types of Elections Outcomes of Primaries: 1. Plurality: A candidate wins most of the votes and is declared the winner. Most states operate under this rule. 2. Majority: A candidate wins more than 50% of the total votes. Only a few states operate under this rule.

Types of Elections General: -Always take place the first Tuesday after the first Monday in Novemeber. -General elections include: *President (every four years) *House of Reps (every even-numbered year) *Senate (every 6 th year depending upon the candidate) *Various local & state officials (i.e. governor)

Special Circumstances Runoff – When no candidate wins a clear majority of votes, a runoff election is held between the top two candidates. Recall – An election called to determine if voters want to remove a sitting official from office before his/her term is up. Ex: 2003 California gov. Gray Davis.

Election Campaigning For a campaign, a candidate will need/use… Endorsement Canvassing Propaganda Fundraising Political Ads

Propaganda Types: 1. Bandwagon – using language that makes voters feel they should support an issue because “everybody else is doing it” 2. Glittering generality – An appeal to emotions by using vague words which carry conviction. 3. Just Plain Folks – Telling voters that a candidate is “just like them” 4. Name-calling – Attaching negative labels to a cnadidate’s opponent. 5. Stack Cards – Using only facts that support a candidates argument and excluding other important facts.

Political Ads

Fundraising Because of the high cost of campaigning (tv ads, transportation, salaries, etc.) candidates must spend a lot of time raising money. The Federal government has put several regulations on how they may do this.

Fundraising (cont.) FECA -Federal Election Campaign Act of Hard money -Creation of FEC: Federal Elections Commission -Buckley v. Valeo (and you thought we were done with the Supreme Court…)

Voting Qualifications to Vote: -18 years old -Citizen of the U.S -Registered at least 25 days prior to the elections

Voting (cont.) Initiative: A way for citizens to propose new laws or amendments. Proposition: When citizens have gained enough signatures on a petition for a new law/amendment, it becomes a proposition. Referendum: A law that is put on the ballot in order for citizens to approve or reject it.

Voting Hours: 7am – 8pm Location: -Polling Place: The actual location where you vote (schools, town halls, public buildings). -Precinct: The voting district where you reside. Types of Ballots (p. 314)

Voting (cont.) Types of Ballots: 1. Absentee – Citizens who cannot get to their poll on election day due to health, travel, or military service may vote absentee. 2. Early – Citizens who fall under the absentee category may also visit their local elections office prior to election day in order to cast their ballot.