POLITICAL PARTIES and VOTING

Discussion Prompt: Name as many political parties as you can think of.

I. Political Parties A. Want to win elections B. Want to hold office C. Represent people’s will D. Power brokers (resolve conflicts) E. Nominate candidates F. Watchdogs

G. Party Support 1.Campaigning 2.Taking Stands on Issues 3.Criticizing Opponents H. Straight party ticket - avoid learning about all of the issues. (Vote for one party)

Discussion Prompt You have been appointed as leader of the newly formed “New and Improved Political Party Board.” Describe the type of political party you would create and what would it focus on?

II. Party Systems A. Two Party System 1. Federalists v. Anti- Federalists 2. Not in Constitution 3. Tradition 4. Electoral system –Winner take all –Bipartisan protection of parties –Homogeneous in beliefs in the U.S.

B. Why A Two Party System? 1. Political Socialization 2. Agreement on basics 3. Legal Barriers for minor parties (PA requires 36,000 votes in 21 days to place on the ballot for President)

Other Forms C. Multi-party System 1. Based on issue or interest 2. Coalition – temporary alliance D. One Party System 1. Dictatorships

E. Origin of Modern Parties 1. Civil War--- Northern States-Republican Party Southern States Democratic 2. Great Depression--- Democrats took the lead with FDR’s plan for a more active role by government in the economy

F. Minor Parties 1. Ideological – Based on certain social, economic or political ideas 2. Single-Issue Parties – Focus on one public policy matter 3. Economic Protest Parties – Criticize economic plans of major parties 4. Splinter-Parties – Break away from a major party

Yes…even this one.

III. Voting Rights A. The electorate is all of the people entitled to vote in a given election. B. Today, the size of the American electorate is greater than 200 million people. Nearly all citizens at least 18 years old can vote.

C. Voting Restrictions For States 1. Eligible citizens may vote in all elections 2. No denial on race 3. No denial on gender 4. No payment 5. No denial over 18 years old

D. Voting Requirements 1. Citizenship Most States require citizenship to vote 2. Residence One must be a legal resident of a State to vote in elections. Most States require residency for minimum amounts of time 3. Age The 26th Amendment requires that no State set a minimum voting age above 18.

Voting Behavior E. Non-Voters 1. Illness/ Travel 2. Citizenship 3. Inconvenience 4. Do not believe it will matter 5. Distrust politics or candidates F. Influence 1. Party Identification 2. Family 3. Society 4. Public Opinion 5. Media

Political Participation

American Parties: Four Major Eras Three Historical Eras of Party Influence 1. The Era of the Democrats, 1800—1860 –Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections. –The Whig Party emerges in 1834, but declines by the 1850s, electing only two Presidents. –The Republican Party is founded in The Era of the Republicans, 1860—1932 –Republicans dominate all but four presidential elections. –The Civil War disables the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 1800s. 3. The Return of the Democrats, 1932—1968 –Democrats dominate all but two presidential elections. –Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President four times.

to Present The Start of a New Era: The Era of Divided Government Since 1968, neither Republicans nor Democrats have dominated the presidency and Congress has often been controlled by the opposing party. 1968–1976 Republicans hold the presidency Congress is controlled by Democrats 1976–1980 Democrats hold the presidency Congress is controlled by Democrats 1980–1992 Republicans hold the presidency Senate controlled by Republicans , controlled by Democrats from 1986 to – 2000 Democrats hold the presidency Congress controlled by Republicans, 1994 to present 2000 Republicans hold the presidency Congress is controlled by Republicans 2008-? Democrats take presidency Congress is controlled by Democrats

Summary Questions What functions do political parties serve? What types of party systems exist? What influences voting behavior? When do most people vote? What are the requirements for voting?

Recount

Voting Machines